Vehicular smart hose system for detecting a clamp state

A method of detecting a state of a clamp, the method comprising:

• providing a clamp monitor configured to responsively interact with a separately disposed clamp, wherein the clamp monitor includes a clamp interface portion coupled to a signal generator, and wherein the clamp monitor is secured to a hose in proximity to a portion of the hose at which the clamp is to be secured, and further wherein the clamp interface portion is secured to the hose and is positionally aligned with the portion of the hose at which the clamp is arranged;
• issuing, by the clamp monitor, a first response to an inquiry signal when the clamp is in a first state;
• issuing, by the clamp monitor, a second response to the inquiry signal when the clamp is in a second state;
• transmitting, by the clamp monitor, a first reply signal, as the first response, with the clamp in the first state, wherein with the clamp in the first state, a gap is defined between the clamp interface portion and the clamp, and the clamp monitor is configured to transmit the first reply signal in response to the inquiry signal;
• and
• transmitting, by the clamp monitor, a second reply signal different from the first reply signal, as the second response, with the clamp in the second state, wherein with the clamp in the second state, the clamp interface portion is in contact with the clamp and the clamp monitor is configured to transmit the second reply signal in response to the inquiry signal.

A smart hose system comprising:

• a hose;
• a clamp to be positioned at the hose, wherein the clamp can be set in a first state or a second state;
• and
• a clamp monitor configured to responsively interact with a separately disposed clamp, wherein the clamp monitor is secured to the hose in proximity to a portion of the hose at which the clamp is to be secured and includes:
• a signal generator configured to generate a first reply signal with the clamp being in an open position and a second reply signal different from the first reply signal with the clamp in a closed position, and
• a clamp interface portion coupled to the signal generator and configured to interface with the clamp to detect a position of the clamp, wherein:
• the clamp interface portion is secured to the hose and positionally aligns with the clamp,
• with the clamp in the first state, a gap is provided between the clamp interface portion and the clamp, and the clamp monitor is configured to transmit the first reply signal, and
• with the clamp in the second state, the clamp interface portion is in contact with the clamp and the clamp monitor is configured to transmit a second reply signal different from the first reply signal.