Patent ID: 8075840

Claim:
An automatic multi-purpose analyzer having a plurality of analysis units connected in series through a transfer line for transferring a sample liquid, each of the analysis units including a pipetting mechanism for pipetting sample liquid and for providing a liquid surface level detecting mechanism, wherein: each of the analysis units includes a transmission mechanism configured to transmit information about a height of a liquid surface level of a sample vessel obtained by the liquid surface level detecting mechanism to other analysis units, the information being obtained upon sample pipetting by the pipetting mechanism of each of the analysis units; a liquid surface level detecting mechanism provided in a pipetting mechanism of another analyzer for which the information about the height of the liquid surface level is transmitted by the transmission mechanism is controlled, wherein: the liquid surface level detecting mechanism which transmits the information is an electric liquid surface level detecting mechanism, and the liquid surface level detecting mechanism to which the information is transmitted and controls the liquid surface level detecting mechanism is a capacitive liquid surface level detecting mechanism; and the liquid surface level detecting mechanism, to which the information is transmitted and controls the liquid surface level detecting mechanism, is configured to recognize a zero level which is a higher predetermined level than the height of the liquid surface level obtained by the liquid surface level detecting mechanism which transmits the information, and is configured to detect the liquid surface level based on a capacitance at the zero level.