# US 12,222,368 B2 · Liquid analysis device and sensor unit > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,222,368 B2 - Document ID: US12222368B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/595,431 - Filed: 2020-05-15 - Published: 2022-06-23 - Granted: 2025-02-11 - Earliest claimed: 2019-06-10 - Assignees: HORIBA Advanced Techno, Co., Ltd. - Applicants: HORIBA Advanced Techno, Co., Ltd. - Inventors: Manabu Shibata; Yuichiro Komatsu; Hiroki Minowa - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12222368B2 ## CPC - G01R 1/067: Measuring probes - G01N 33/18: Water - H03M 1/12: Analogue/digital converters ({H03M1/001 – } H03M1/10 take precedence) - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - H03M: CODING; DECODING; CODE CONVERSION IN GENERAL (using fluidic means F15C4/00; optical analogue/digital converters G02F7/00; coding, decoding or code conversion, specially adapted for particular applications, see the relevant subclasses, e.g. G01D, G01R, G06F, G06T, G09G, G10L, G11B, G11C, H04B, H04L, H04M, H04N; ciphering or deciphering for cryptography or other purposes involving the need for secrecy G09C) ## Abstract The present invention reduces a running cost in a liquid analysis device and reduces electromagnetic noise superimposed on an analog signal. The present invention includes a sensor portion configured to contact a liquid and output an analog signal corresponding to a predetermined measurement target item, a conversion portion configured to convert the analog signal obtained by the sensor portion into a digital signal, and a device body to which the conversion portion is connected by a wire or wirelessly, the device body being configured to acquire the digital signal from the conversion portion. The sensor portion and the conversion portion are attachable to and detachable from each other, the sensor portion includes a connection plug that electrically connects to the conversion portion, and a metal shield is provided at a connection portion between the connection plug and a wire of the sensor portion. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A liquid analysis device comprising: a plurality of sensor portions each configured to contact a liquid and output an analog signal corresponding to a predetermined measurement target item; a plurality of conversion portions each configured to convert the analog signal obtained by a respective one of the sensor portions into a digital signal; a device body to which each conversion portion is connected by a wire or wirelessly, the device body being configured to acquire each digital signal from the respective conversion portion; and a plurality of coupling mechanisms that couple and fix the conversion portions to each other by bringing a plurality of side surfaces of the conversion portions into contact with each other, wherein the sensor portions and the conversion portions are attachable to and detachable from each other, each sensor portion includes a connection plug that electrically connects to the respective conversion portion, and a metal shield is provided at a connection portion between the connection plug and a wire of at least one of the sensor portions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The liquid analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor portions and the conversion portions are respectively integrated in a state of being electrically connected by the respective connection plug, and are operated by being held in a hand. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The liquid analysis device according to claim 2, wherein at least one of the sensor portions to which the metal shield is provided is configured to measure pH as a measurement target item. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The liquid analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the conversion portions each include a notifier that provides notification that output of the respective sensor portion is stable during measurement and calibration. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The liquid analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanisms couple the conversion portions for at least one of a position from a bottom of water to a respective sensing portion or a position from a water surface to the respective sensing portion in each of the sensor portions attached to each of the conversion portions to be an identical position. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The liquid analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the sensor portions are each for different measurement target items, and the device body includes a calibrator that simultaneously calibrates the sensor portions for different measurement target items. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The liquid analysis device according to claim 6, wherein the device body calibrates the sensor portions for different measurement target items by using different types of calibration substances. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The liquid analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the device body includes a plurality of connection ports to which a respective cable extending from each conversion portion is respectively connected, and a sensor recognizer that recognizes the sensor portion attached to the conversion portion connected to each connection port. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The liquid analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the device body is provided with a stand member that supports the device body in an inclined or standing state, and respective cables connecting the conversion portions and the device body are configured to be wound around the stand member. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The liquid analysis device according to claim 1, wherein the coupling mechanisms include: a recess formed on one of the side surfaces of each conversion portion; and a protrusion formed on one of the side surfaces of each conversion portion and fitted into the recess. ### Claim 11 A sensor unit comprising: a sensor portion configured to contact a liquid and output an analog signal corresponding to a predetermined measurement target item; a conversion portion configured to convert the analog signal obtained by the sensor portion into a digital signal and output the digital signal to outside; and a coupling mechanism that couples and fixes the conversion portion to another conversion portion of another sensor unit by bringing a plurality of side surfaces of the conversion portions into contact with each other, wherein the sensor portion and the conversion portion are attachable to and detachable from each other, the sensor portion includes a connection plug that electrically connects to the conversion portion, and a metal shield is provided at a connection portion between the connection plug and a wire of the sensor portion.