Abstract
We used to develop a metal hydride (MH) compressor that had several advantages including small-size, high-output-force and silentness. In order to be faster a compression cycle, an MH which has less plateau pressure than atmospheric pressure is applied. As a result, a time of the air compression cycle is cut to about 50 percent and the consumption of electricity is reduced more than 50 percent as compared with the conventional MH compressor. The advantages of this air compressor that size is small and shape is changed into freely enabled realization of unprecedented assistive technology devices for persons with disability. A new transfer aid system which helps rising from a wheelchair is experimentally developed by making use of some advantages of this compressor.
