A flow sensor, also known as a flow meter, primarily detects the amount of liquid flowing through it. A level sensor, on the other hand, detects the liquid level. These two types of sensors have different working principles and structures.
Application scenarios of flow sensors:
Connect the flow sensor to the water pipe and install it inside the water dispenser. When the water pump draws water, the water flow drives the impeller inside the flow sensor to rotate, and the flow sensor outputs a signal corresponding to the flow rate. The controller controls the flow rate based on the signal output by the flow sensor. For example, it can be set to stop pumping water when the pumping volume reaches 300ml. When the device receives the corresponding 300ml signal (pulse signal) from the flow sensor, it controls the water pump to stop pumping water.
Liquid level sensor application scenarios
Liquid level sensor application scenarios:
The sensor can be installed on the water tank (contact type) or outside the tank (non-contact detection). When the water level reaches the sensor's position, the sensor will provide a signal (high or low level signal). For low water alerts, install a level sensor at the bottom; for full water alerts, install a sensor at the top of the tank. If automatic water replenishment is required after detecting low water levels and stopping when the tank is full, a multi-point level sensor is needed.
Application of combined liquid level sensor and flow sensor:
Sometimes flow meters can also detect water shortages. By comparing the signal output when there is water with the signal output when the flow meter is empty, it can be determined whether there is water at the flow meter location, thus indicating whether the water tank is low on water. However, for product stability, most product designs use in-line level sensors or conventional level sensors to achieve dual protection against water shortages.
These two types of sensors can also be used together. For example, if a coffee machine needs to detect water flow while the water tank needs to detect whether it is low or full, these two types of sensors can be used.
