Non-DODGY Packaging / Product Question:. FOLDING MIRROR has Air Spring ?

[RJSV]

Hello, my little folding mirror has a fascinating way, of doing a spring-loaded 'lazy' unfolding.
It was taking about 2 seconds, to fully open upwards, after release is pressed.
  Now, a cold morning outside, and the SLOWDOWN is just awesome: taking some TEN seconds, to fully auto-open for use !

   So, is this a classic 'air shock' or 'air spring', similar to those used on big lids, absorbing and slowing the downward (closing) of a lid to 1950's - 1970's style computer tape drives, loadable disk drives printers, etc.
   Am I looking at a little rotary spring, perhaps with air chamber. Idea is that any movement requires changing a plunger, pushing or pulling air through small hole. And with a spring acting in parallel.
   See, in picture, each 'hinge' being enclosed in (cylinder).
Thanks

[Raj]

could be just sticky goo with coil spring

[SeanB]

could be just sticky goo with coil spring

Yes, typically those use a spring in the hinge area, and partly fill the spring area with a kilopoise grease, so that the spring and hinge is massively damped down and moves slowly.

[Raj]

could be just sticky goo with coil spring

Yes, typically those use a spring in the hinge area, and partly fill the spring area with a kilopoise grease, so that the spring and hinge is massively damped down and moves slowly.

kilopoise grease? Oh, so that's what's it's called.
I have a microscope that had a sticky substance on it's rack and pinion to make it sticky and I accidently wiped it. Will kilopoise grease work there?

[electr_peter]

Foldable car roof handles have similar mechanism to slow down movement. It moves slowly back under spring tension in a slow motion. Small component inside acts as a damper. However, if you pull handle too many times in a row, resistance disappears as it heats up. Not sure what kind of substance is inside, likely heavy oil or some waxy substance (but definitely not air).

Example part on AliExpress for VW cars, "car armest damper"

[rsjsouza]

could be just sticky goo with coil spring

Yes, typically those use a spring in the hinge area, and partly fill the spring area with a kilopoise grease, so that the spring and hinge is massively damped down and moves slowly.

kilopoise grease? Oh, so that's what's it's called.
I have a microscope that had a sticky substance on it's rack and pinion to make it sticky and I accidently wiped it. Will kilopoise grease work there?

Kilopoise is actually a brand name (here), but indeed is a good search term for "damping grease".

"Poise" is the unit for viscosity.

[RJSV]

Great replies, all.
I am learning, (my) impulse runs 'too elaborate',
Simple 'grease', no need for complicated 'air hole'...