The Working Principle of Gas Lifts – Selection and Application of Different Gases and Forces

I. Core Principle: Compression and Release of Inert Gases
The basic structure of a gas lift is a sealed cylinder filled with high-pressure gas, working in conjunction with a piston and hydraulic damping system. When an external force compresses the cylinder, the gas volume decreases and the pressure increases; after the external force is released, the gas expands, pushing the piston back to its original position, achieving the supporting or lifting function.

II. Selection and Influence of Different Gases
Currently, gas lifts on the market mainly use two types of gas:

1. Nitrogen (N₂, most common)

Characteristics: Chemically stable, non-corrosive, and moderately expensive.

Advantages: Pressure is less affected by temperature, maintaining stable output in environments ranging from -20℃ to +80℃.

Applications: Over 95% of furniture gas springs use high-purity nitrogen (purity ≥99.5%). Suitable for general environments such as kitchen cabinets, wardrobes, and bed frames.

2. Inert Gas Mixtures (e.g., nitrogen-argon mixture)

Features: Lower coefficient of thermal expansion, smoother damping.

Advantages: More uniform movement and lower noise in extreme temperature or high-frequency opening and closing scenarios.

Applications: High-end furniture, laboratory equipment, yacht furniture, and other scenarios requiring high stability and quiet operation.

Caution: Inferior gas springs may use ordinary compressed air, which contains oxygen and moisture. Long-term use can corrode the cylinder wall, leading to air leaks, reduced output, or even seizing.

II. Typical Applications for Different Forces

Force Range | Typical Application Scenarios | Description

50~100N | Small lift-up cabinet doors (0.5~2kg), mini storage boxes | Opens gently, requires manual pushing to reach the desired position

100~200N | Cabinet lift-up doors (3~6kg), tatami mat covers | Most commonly used range, good balance

200~300N | Bed boxes (with mattresses), heavy-duty tool cabinet doors | Requires sufficient force to overcome gravity

300~500N+ | Lift-up tables, TV lift-up frames, industrial equipment covers | High-load scenarios, often equipped with damping or locking mechanisms

3. Combination of Single and Double Supports

Single Support Use: Suitable for light and small door panels. Ensure symmetrical installation; otherwise, torsional deformation may occur.

Double Support Parallel Connection: The force is the sum of the single supports, but synchronization is crucial. For example, a single support of 150N provides approximately 300N of support force when two supports are connected in parallel.

III. Industry Quality Judgment Standards

Leakage Rate: High-quality gas springs have an annual leakage rate of <1%, while inferior products can have a leakage rate of 5%~10%/year.

Lifespan Test: After passing 30,000~50,000 opening and closing cycles, the force reduction should not exceed 10%.

Temperature Stability: In an environment of -20℃~+60℃, the output force change should be <15%.

Oil-Vacuum Separation Design: Prevents damping oil from entering the gas chamber, which could cause output jerking or abnormal noise.