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SR100: A Cutting-Edge Rotary Damper

The SR100, developed by TOK Corporation, has made headlines after being awarded the prestigious Good Design Award 2025, organized by the Japan Design Promotion Association. This award highlights the damper’s innovative design and contribution to improving product functionality.

The Idea Behind the SR100

The SR100 rotary damper is a game-changing device with an exceptionally slim diameter of just 8mm, significantly smaller than the standard 18mm dampers. This compact design was created to commemorate TOK's 100th anniversary and embodies the company's spirit of innovation in creating products that enhance user experience.

Until now, various products faced challenges in integrating rotary dampers due to limited space. With the SR100, those design constraints are a thing of the past, and it opens up new possibilities for manufacturers looking to enhance their products.

Design Features

The SR100 is more than a simple rotary damper. It has been carefully designed with numerous features that enhance both its functionality and visual appeal:

• - Sleek Appearance: The sharp shape and solid color casing enhance its robust impression, making it both attractive and practical for various applications.
• - Easy Attachment Design: The attachment structure allows for effortless installation in a wide range of products, ensuring it can be widely utilized across different sectors.
• - Lightweight and Compact: The damper has been engineered to achieve maximum lightweight and small size, contributing not only to reduced weight for the end products but also to saving space and resources in manufacturing.

The Journey and Achievements

While the SR100 may seem simple at first glance, its inner mechanism is sophisticated and innovative. The challenge was to elevate the aesthetic and functional value of any product it is attached to. By eliminating unnecessary details, TOK aimed for a clean and refined appearance, achieving a high-quality look that is both elegant and durable.

For example, the housing features a screw cap structure that eliminates protrusions, thus creating a smooth and glossy appearance. The other side of the housing is designed to avoid any visible screws while showcasing a cross recess that suggests strength and reliability. This meticulous attention to design ensures that the damper blends seamlessly with furniture, equipment, and sanitary fixtures that previously lacked sufficient cushioning capabilities.

Technical Specifications

• - Product Dimensions: Outer diameter 8mm, body length 65mm (attachment width 5mm, attachment length 21.5mm)
• - Torque Tolerance: 1.4 N·m
• - Durability: Up to 10,000 cycles
• - Operating Temperature Range: 0°C to 40°C
• - Material: Steel for the body, with plastic, steel, and oil for the internal mechanism
• - Operational Mechanism: Direct torque generation, motion conversion, and power assist mechanisms

Award Recognition

According to Yoichi Kimura and Daisuke Takahashi from TOK’s Corporate Planning Division, this award is a testament to TOK’s commitment to creating products that support a comfortable and safe lifestyle. They believe this accolade will motivate them to continue delivering innovative movements that contribute to society.

Judges’ Comments

In today’s fast-paced, digital-oriented world, the tactile and sensory aspects of products can often be overlooked. The SR100, despite its tiny size, provides impressive cushioning functionality, granting furniture and devices a graceful and gentle movement. This product exemplifies how a mechanical system can offer sensory satisfaction and safety without relying on electrical controls.

About the Good Design Award

The Good Design Award has been Japan's only comprehensive design evaluation and recommendation system for over 60 years. Its aim is to improve life and society through design, symbolized by the widely recognized