Research and development of a portable power unit to support the initial rescue work in an isolated large earthquake disaster area

• Project/Area Number: 23510222
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Natural disaster science
• Research Institution: Showa University
• Principal Investigator: SATO MITSURU 昭和大学, 保健医療学部, 准教授 (10300047)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): INO Shuichi 独立行政法人産業技術総合研究所, ヒューマンライフテクノロジー研究部門, 研究グループ長 (70250511)
• Project Period (FY): 2011-04-28 – 2015-03-31
• Project Status: Completed (Fiscal Year 2014)
• Budget Amount: ¥4,940,000 (Direct Cost: ¥3,800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥1,140,000); Fiscal Year 2013: ¥1,040,000 (Direct Cost: ¥800,000、Indirect Cost: ¥240,000); Fiscal Year 2012: ¥1,170,000 (Direct Cost: ¥900,000、Indirect Cost: ¥270,000); Fiscal Year 2011: ¥2,730,000 (Direct Cost: ¥2,100,000、Indirect Cost: ¥630,000)
• Keywords: 地震災害 / 救命活動 / 救命機材 / 水素吸蔵合金 / シール技術

Outline of Final Research Achievements

We have developed a portable power unit (jack) to support the initial rescue work in an isolated large earthquake disaster area. The portable motive power unit employs a hydrogen pressure from metal hydride and can lift heavy rubble 50 mm within one minute without electric power or fuels. A prototype jack which measures 357 mm diameter by 90 mm height provides output over 10000 N at an internal hydrogen pressure of 0.2 MPa while maintaining no hydrogen leakage. A calcium oxide / water reaction has been adopted as a heat source of the metal hydride. The portable power unit can be easily transported on foot in disaster sites where traffic and lifeline has been cut off and be available for the rescue of victims trapped in a closed space.

Research Products

• [Journal Article] Designing a Metal Hydride Actuator with Human-Compatible Softness and High Power-to-Weight Ratio for Future Quality-of-Life Technologies (2013)
  • Author(s): S. Ino, M. Sato, M. Hosono, C. Wada, S. Yoshimura, K. Yamashita and T. Izumi
  • Journal Title: 15th International Conference on Human-Computer Interaction Lecture Notes in Computer Science Volume: 8024 Pages: 111-120
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-3-642-39137-8_13
  • ISBN: 9783642391361, 9783642391378
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Journal Article] A System Utilizing Metal Hydride Actuators to Achieve Passive Motion of Toe Joints for Prevention of Pressure Ulcers : A Pilot Study (2012)
  • Author(s): Minako Hosono, Shuichi Ino, Mitsuru Sato, Kazuhiko Y amashita, and Takashi Izumi
  • Journal Title: Rehabilitation Research and Practice Volume: 2012 Pages: 7-7
  • DOI: 10.1155/2012/541383
  • Peer Reviewed
• [Presentation] A Preliminary Study of a Metal Hydride Actuator to Support Rescue Operations (2012)
  • Author(s): T. Hayashi, S. Ino, K. Sakaki, Y. Nakamura, M. Sato, S. Yoshimura
  • Organizer: International Symposium on Metal-Hydrogen Systems 2012
  • Place of Presentation: Kyoto TERRSA, Kyoto, Japan
• [Book] 福祉技術ハンドブック (2013)
  • Author(s): 佐藤満、井野秀一（分担執筆）
  • Total Pages: 520
  • Publisher: 朝倉書店
• [Book] Advances in Therapeutic Engineering (2012)
  • Author(s): M. Sato and S. Ino
  • Total Pages: 21
  • Publisher: CRC Press
• [Book] Assistive Technologies (2012)
  • Author(s): S. Ino and M. Sato
  • Total Pages: 20
  • Publisher: In-Tech Publishing
• [Remarks] 佐藤 満 | 昭和大学
  • URL: http://www.showa-u.ac.jp/about_us/disclosure/faculty/S/frdi8b000000cel4.html
• [Patent(Industrial Property Rights)] 災害救助用のジャッキ (2013)
  • Inventor(s): 井野秀一、佐藤満、吉村眞一
  • Industrial Property Rights Holder: 飛鳥電機製作所、産業技術総合研究所
  • Industrial Property Rights Type: 特許
  • Filing Date: 2013-10-03
  • Overseas