Position detector, position detecting method and analyzer

A position detecting method for detecting a position of liquid held in a vessel, comprising:

• individually generating a sound wave from each of a plurality of sound generating elements provided on the vessel by electrical energy;
• measuring electrical characteristics of each of the sound generating elements based on the electrical energy reflected from each of the sound generating elements;
• and
• determining a presence or absence of the liquid at a position of each of the sound generating elements based on difference in the measured electrical characteristics to detect a position of the liquid held in the vessel based on the determination of presence or absence of the liquid.

A position detector for detecting a position of liquid held in a vessel, comprising:

• a plurality of light sources disposed so as to approach the vessel, each light source emitting measurement light for measuring optical characteristics of the liquid;
• a plurality of light receivers disposed to face the plurality of light sources, respectively, each light receiver receiving the measurement light penetrating the vessel;
• and
• a detector that detects a position of the liquid held in the vessel based on photometric data in the light receivers.

An analyzer for stirring different liquids to react and measuring optical characteristics of reaction liquid to analyze the reaction liquid, the analyzer comprising a position detector for detecting a position of the reaction liquid held in a vessel, the position detector including:

• a sound wave generator disposed in contact with the vessel and having a plurality of sound generating elements for generating a sound wave by electrical energy;
• a measuring unit that measures electrical characteristics of each of the sound generating elements based on the electrical energy reflected from each of the sound generating elements;
• and
• a determining unit that determines the presence or absence of the reaction liquid at a position of each of the sound generating elements based on difference in the electrical characteristics measured at the measuring unit.

An analyzer for stirring different liquids to react and measuring optical characteristics of reaction liquid to analyze the reaction liquid, the analyzer comprising a position detector for detecting a position of the reaction liquid held in a vessel, the position detector including:

• a plurality of light sources disposed so as to approach the vessel, each light source emitting measurement light for measuring optical characteristics of the reaction liquid;
• a plurality of light receivers disposed to face the plurality of light sources, respectively, each light receiver receiving the measurement light penetrating the vessel;
• and
• a detector that detects a position of the reaction liquid held in the vessel based on photometric data in the light receivers.