A sensor device for detecting liquid, in particular in a controller of a steering system of a vehicle, includes at least one sensor element and a testing unit. The sensor element is electrically connected to the testing unit. The testing unit has a signal transmitter, connected to the sensor element, that is configured to generate an electrical test signal, and a signal receiver, connected to the sensor element, that is configured to detect a reaction signal for the electrical test signal. The signal transmitter and the signal receiver are each connected at high impedance to the at least one sensor element. The testing unit is configured to detect the reaction signal at least at a time as a first reaction signal for which the electrical test signal has been generated in order to infer a presence of the medium.

Filling unit (1) for a packaging machine (100) for filling bulk materials (50) into packages (60), and packaging machine with a filling unit (1), comprising a conveyor device (2), by means of which bulk materials (50) can be conveyed into a package (60), and a control device (3), which is suitable and configured to guide a filling stream (4) into a package (60). A fill level sensor device (5) including a sensor device (6) is provided, which is suitable and configured to detect a first fill level (7) and a second fill level (8) of bulk materials (50) in a package (60), wherein the first fill level (7) corresponds to a lower fill level than the second fill level (8). The control device (3) regulates the filling stream (4) by way of the fill levels determined by the sensor device (6). With the method according to the invention, the package is filled until the second fill level is detected. Then the filling stream is reduced until the first fill level is detected. Thereupon the filling stream is increased.

Embodiments are directed to a simple, tool-less, and automated connection between a transfer probe and a capacitive liquid level detection printed circuit assembly (PCA) for use in a clinical analyzer in an in vitro diagnostics (IVD) environment in a hospital or laboratory setting. Advantageously, a single user connection is required: a fitting that is used to attach fluid tubing of the transfer arm to a probe, resulting in a mechanical, fluid, and electrical connection between the probe and the transfer arm. A PCA comprises a plurality of spring-loaded pins and capacitive liquid level detection circuity. A probe comprises a primary tube nested within a secondary tube, wherein the primary tube and the secondary tube comprise respective heads at respective top portions thereof forming a set of electrically isolated surfaces. The fitting secures the probe within a transfer arm and establishes the connection between the PCA and the probe.

A capacitive level sensor device, for detecting the level of a medium contained in a container, comprises a circuit support, which extends longitudinally substantially according to level-detection axis. The circuit support has, in a detection region thereof, at least one first plurality of first capacitive elements, which comprise at least one first array of first electrodes, preferably spaced from one another along the level-detection axis, which are arranged in a position corresponding to at least one first side of a supporting structure of the circuit support. The sensor device has a casing body which comprises an electrically insulating and fluid-tight detection portion, which covers the detection region of the circuit support. The detection portion of the casing body comprises an overmoulded outer coating, made of a first electrically insulating polymeric material, which defines an outer surface of the casing body designed to be in contact with the medium the level of which has to be detected. Between the overmoulded outer coating and the first electrodes there is set at least one intermediate layer made of an electrically insulating material different from the first material. The at least one intermediate layer comprises a layer made of a material selected from among materials that include silicon, or derivatives or compounds thereof, and materials that include fluorine derivatives or compounds.

A horizontal automatic submersible pump includes a capacitive liquid level sensor, a circuit board and a motor. The capacitive liquid level sensor is arranged inside a casing of the horizontal automatic submersible pump. The capacitive liquid level sensor is configured to detect a liquid level outside the casing of the horizontal automatic submersible pump. The output terminal of the capacitive liquid level sensor is connected to the input terminal of the circuit board. The control terminal of the motor is connected to the output terminal of the circuit board. The circuit board is configured to control the motor to work or stop according to a detection signal of the capacitive liquid level sensor. The horizontal automatic submersible pump starts and stops automatically, and the capacitive liquid level sensor means there are fewer moving parts, which makes the pump less expensive to manufacture, more dependable and longer lasting.

A fluid dispenser, such as a skincare product dispenser, comprises a dispenser housing configured to hold a reservoir of fluid for dispensing and a drive assembly for interacting with the reservoir and causing dispensing of the fluid. A fluid detection sensor is positioned within the dispenser housing proximate the reservoir and configured to detect a capacitance level therein. A controller is configured to determine, based on data from the fluid detection sensor, a change in the fluid level across a dispense. The controller is also configured to determine, based on the determined change, that the fluid level in the reservoir reaches a threshold level and cause an action, such as providing an alert, sending information to a remote server, or modifying an operating parameter.

The present invention is directed to a capacitive sensor that has electrodes externally positioned on or proximate to the surface of a non-metallic container for detecting a usage level inside the container, where the contents may be liquid or granular solids. By generating an excitation signal to the electrodes and processing the resulting signal waveform, the usage level may be detected with respect to the position of the electrodes. Consequently, embodiments provide a marker that is indicative of usage conditions such as a refill condition or an empty condition in order to inform the user to purchase a refill of the contents. Embodiments may operate with an Internet of Things device so that physical goods may be automatically ordered when the contents are at or below a predetermined level. Embodiments may provide a low cost design and may be used in many applications, such as an oil diffuser.

A sensor is provided for generating an output signal for detecting a limit level of a medium, a filling level of the medium, and/or for differentiating between different media, the sensor including: a processor to process a measurement signal generated using the sensor; and a reference unit to generate a reference signal, the processor is further configured to perform temperature compensation using the reference signal, the processor and the reference unit each having a signal conversion unit to provide temperature-dependent signal conversion, the signal conversion units being thermally coupled to one another, and the temperature compensation includes compensating for temperature dependency of the signal conversion unit of the processor using a thermal coupling.

A liquid level sensor and a method for sensing a liquid level adapted to a liquid storage container are provided. The liquid level sensor includes a plurality of sensing electrodes and a liquid level determination circuit. The sensing electrodes are disposed on a side wall of the liquid storage container and correspond to different liquid levels. The liquid level determination circuit is coupled to the sensing electrodes and stores a plurality of capacitance reference values and a plurality of capacitance threshold values in response to a tuning command received from a host during factory calibration. The capacitance reference values are locked after the factory calibration. After the factory calibration, the liquid level determination circuit scans capacitance values of the sensing electrodes to determine a liquid level of a liquid in the liquid storage container based on current capacitance values of the sensing electrodes.

The present invention provides a gas generator and comprises an electrolysis device, a water supplying device, and a liquid level detector. The electrolysis device is configured for electrolyzing water to generate hydrogen. The water supplying device is coupled to the electrolysis device for supplying the supplementary water into the electrolysis device. The liquid level detector is coupled to an outer surface of the electrolysis device for detecting a liquid level of the electrolyzed water, wherein the gas generator supplies supplementary water into the electrolysis device according to the liquid level detected by the liquid level detector. The present invention is provided for measuring the liquid level by using the non-contact liquid level detector, and supplying supplementary water into the electrolysis device according to the liquid level to ensure that the electrolysis device contains sufficient water for electrolyzing, thereby improving the life and safety of the gas generator.