Liquid flow sensor and machine with same

The invention provides a liquid flow sensor. The liquid flow sensor comprises a shell, a liquid storage component, an elastic element and a circuit part. The shell is provided with a liquid inlet and a liquid outlet. The liquid storage component receives liquid coming from the liquid inlet and is provided with a first discharge part located on the lower portion. The elastic element can exert upward offset force on the liquid storage component, so that under the situation that the inflow amount of liquid entering the liquid flow sensor is smaller than the preset flow, the liquid storage component can move upwards; and under the situation that the inflow amount is larger than or equal to the preset flow, the liquid storage component can move downwards. The circuit part can respond to the upward or downward movement of the liquid storage component to be switched between the closed state and the opened state. The invention further provides a machine, such as a vortex compressor, using the sensor in a lubricating system. The liquid flow sensor is high in reliability, high in environment adaptability, low in cost, flexible in layout, high in sensitivity and capable of directly reflecting the oil supply situation.