Patent ID: 8261894

Claim:
A rotary damper, comprising a valve mechanism, wherein the valve mechanism comprises an operating chamber through which fluid can pass, a valve chamber formed adjacently to the operating chamber, a valve body which is placed in the valve chamber, and a first spring mounted in the operating chamber, wherein the damper is structured and arranged to apply fluid pressure behind the valve body which increases in proportion to a load, wherein the valve body is structured and arranged to move forward into the operating chamber upon receiving the pressure of the fluid, wherein the first spring is structured and arranged to provide a resistance to the forward movement of the valve body so that the valve body moves according to the pressure of the fluid, wherein the valve mechanism further comprises a flow path which is formed by the forward movement of the valve body, wherein the flow path is formed between an inner peripheral surface of a peripheral wall of the operating chamber and an outer peripheral surface of the valve body by the forward movement of the valve body, wherein the damper is structured and arranged such that the fluid moves only through the flow path when moving from the valve chamber to the operating chamber, and wherein a length of the flow path becomes longer as the valve body moves forwardly.