Patent Publication Number: US-2021183185-A1

Title: Systems and methods for visually indicating a sensor status

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present disclosure claims priority to and benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/723,615, filed Aug. 28, 2018, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure relates generally to sensing systems for visually indicating status of sensors. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Many systems such as vehicles, power-generation equipment and other systems include many subsystems such as engines, aftertreatment systems, filters, etc. Various sensors are used to determine operational status of such subsystems. For example, many vehicles include filter assemblies that include a filter (e.g., air filters, fuel filters, lubricant filters, water filters, etc.) for removing particulates from a fluid (e.g., air, air/fuel mixture, lubricant, water, etc.). Over time, the particulates accumulate in the filter leading to clogging of the filter and increase in backpressure on the fluid flowing through the filter. Such filters may include a bypass valve to allow the fluid to bypass the filter once the pressure is greater than a pressure threshold. Such situations allow unfiltered fluid to flow into a respective system which is undesirable. 
     To prevent such occurrences, filters assemblies often include a sensor configured to sense a status of the filter. For example, a pressure sensor may be configured to measure a pressure within the filter assembly which may correspond to a status of a filter, e.g., indicate a fresh filter, filter about to fail, or filter failed. In conventional systems, such sensors are generally coupled via a wiring harness to a controller of the system (e.g., an electronic control module (ECM)) and generate a fault code which is stored in a memory of the ECM and/or indicated on a display (e.g., a dash display of the vehicle) as a general indication (e.g., a check engine light). To determine the status of such sensors, a fault code reader needs to be coupled to the controller to determine the sensor status. Such fault code readers are generally expensive and/or may only available at repair shops, which increases the cost of diagnosing the status of the filter, or any other system that includes a sensor coupled thereto. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to systems and methods for visually indicating a status of a sensor and in particular, to sensor status indicator assemblies communicatively coupled to a wiring harness of one or more sensors. The sensor status indicator assemblies are configured to receive and interpret a sensor signal from the sensor, and generate a visual signal corresponding to the sensor status. 
     In a set of embodiments, a sensor status indicator (SSI) assembly comprises a sensing interface configured to be communicatively coupled to a wiring harness of a sensor and receive a sensor signal therefrom. The sensor signal indicates a sensor status corresponding to a status of an apparatus to which the sensor is coupled. The SSI assembly also includes at least one visual indicator; and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensing interface and the at least one visual indicator. The controller is configured to interpret the sensor signal to determine the sensor status, and activate the at least one visual indicator to generate a visual signal corresponding to the sensor status. 
     In another set of embodiments, a method for visual indication of a sensor status of a sensor comprises communicatively coupling a SSI assembly to a wiring harness of a sensor coupled to an apparatus. The sensor status indicator assembly comprises a sensing interface communicatively coupled to the wiring harness and configured to receive a sensor signal therefrom. The sensor signal indicates a sensor status corresponding to a status of the apparatus. The sensor status indicator assembly also comprises at least one visual indicator, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensing interface and the at least one visual indicator. A visual signal produced by the at least one visual indicator is recorded. The visual signal corresponds to the status of the apparatus. 
     It should be appreciated that all combinations of the foregoing concepts and additional concepts discussed in greater detail below (provided such concepts are not mutually inconsistent) are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. In particular, all combinations of claimed subject matter appearing at the end of this disclosure are contemplated as being part of the inventive subject matter disclosed herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other features of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only several implementations in accordance with the disclosure and are therefore, not to be considered limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described with additional specificity and detail through use of the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1A  is a schematic illustration of a sensing system including a SSI assembly, according to an embodiment. 
         FIG. 1B  is a schematic block diagram of a controller which may be included in the SSI assembly of  FIG. 1A , according to an embodiment. 
         FIGS. 2-7  are schematic illustrations of SSI assemblies according to various embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic flow diagram of an exemplary method for visually indicating a status of an apparatus via an SSI assembly, according to an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     Reference is made to the accompanying drawings throughout the following detailed description. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative implementations described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other implementations may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here. It will be readily understood that the aspects of the present disclosure, as generally described herein, and illustrated in the figures, can be arranged, substituted, combined, and designed in a wide variety of different configurations, all of which are explicitly contemplated and made part of this disclosure. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS 
     Embodiments described herein relate generally to system and methods for visually indicating a status of a sensor and in particular, to sensor status indicator assemblies communicatively coupled to a wiring harness of one or more sensors. The sensor status indicator assemblies are configured to receive and interpret a sensor signal from the sensor, and generate a visual signal corresponding to the sensor status. 
     In a number of conventional systems, sensors for measuring a status of an apparatus (e.g., a pressure sensor coupled to a filter assembly and configured to measure a pressure therein) are generally coupled via a wiring harness to a controller of the system (e.g., an electronic control module (ECM)) and generate a fault code which is stored in a memory of the ECM and/or indicated on a display (e.g., a dash display of the vehicle) as a general indication (e.g., a check engine light). To determine the status of such sensors, a fault code reader is generally coupled to the controller which is configured to read fault codes stored in the controller and determine the sensor status. Such fault code readers are generally expensive and/or may only available at repair shops, which increases the cost of diagnosing the status of the filter, or any other system that includes a sensor coupled thereto. 
     Embodiments of the SSI assemblies described herein may provide several benefits including, for example: (1) providing easy to read visual indication of a sensor status which corresponds to a status of an apparatus to which the SSI assembly is coupled; (2) providing easy and low cost installation and adaptation to existing wiring harnesses of existing sensors as well as allowing easy replacement; (3) avoiding modification of existing sensors for integrating visual indicators (e.g., LEDs), thereby circumventing the development of new sensors; (4) allowing inspection at point-of-service rather than a separate location and without using a fault code reader, thereby providing cost savings by avoiding costly diagnostics; and (5) allowing unique configuration of SSI assemblies to allow receiving signals from a plurality of sensors (e.g., 2, 3 or even more), for example, to calculate a difference relative to a stored value. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of a sensing system  100  including a SSI assembly  120 , according to an embodiment. The sensing system  100  is configured to sense the status of an apparatus  10 , for example, to determine if the apparatus  10  working properly, is about to fail or has failed. In some embodiments, the apparatus  10  may comprise a filter assembly comprising a filter (e.g., an air filter, a fuel filter, a lubricant filter, a water filter, an exhaust gas particulate matter filter, or any other suitable filter). In such embodiments, the status of the filter assembly may correspond to the filter working properly (i.e., not clogged), the filter about to fail (i.e., substantially clogged) or filter failed (e.g., filter completely clogged). In other embodiments, the apparatus  10  may be a component of an aftertreatment system, for example, an oxidation catalyst, a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) catalyst, an ammonia slip catalyst or any other aftertreatment component whose status is to be monitored. In still other embodiments, the apparatus  10  may comprise an engine or an engine subsystem. 
     The sensing system  100  comprises a sensor  112  coupled to the apparatus  10 . The sensor  112  is configured to sense a status of the apparatus  10  and generate a sensor signal. The sensor signal indicates a sensor status of the sensor  112  corresponding to the status of the apparatus  10 . In embodiments in which the apparatus  10  comprises a filter assembly, the sensor  112  may comprise a pressure sensor configured to determine a pressure within the filter assembly, and generate a sensor signal indicating a sensor status corresponding to the status of the filter assembly. For example, the sensor signal may include a pressure signal which indicates a pressure of the filter assembly (e.g., a pressure difference across the filter assembly). As previously described herein, as the filter gets increasingly clogged, the backpressure exerted on the fluid by the filter as the fluid passes therethrough increases correspondingly such that a larger pressure of the fluid is required to pass through the filter. Very high pressures may occur when the filter is sufficiently clogged and cause failure of the filter assembly (e.g., via breaking or cracking of the filter, or a housing of the filter assembly). A bypass valve may be provided in the filter assembly and configured to allow the fluid to bypass the filter assembly at sufficiently high pressures so as to prevent damage to the filter assembly. This however, results in unfiltered fluid to be delivered to a downstream system which is undesirable. 
     The pressure exerted by the fluid on the filter which corresponds to the pressure within the filter assembly may be measured by the sensor  112  and is indicative of the status of the filter assembly. The sensor  112  generates a sensor signal which indicates a sensor status corresponding to a status of the filter assembly and may be used to diagnose the filter assembly. For example, a sensor status corresponding to the pressure of the filter assembly being less than a pressure threshold range may indicate that the filter is not clogged and working properly. A sensor status corresponding to the pressure being within the pressure threshold range may indicate that the filter is substantially clogged and is about to fail. Similarly, a sensor status corresponding to the pressure being greater than the predetermined threshold range may correspond to filter being completely blocked or otherwise having failed. In other embodiments, a sensor status corresponding to pressure being below a low pressure threshold may indicate that the filter or the filter assembly has failed (e.g., the filter has cracked). 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1A , a wiring harness  114  is coupled to the sensor  112  and is configured to communicate the sensor signal therefrom to a central controller (e.g., an ECM). The sensor signal may be logged in a memory of the ECM for later reading by a fault reader or displayed on a display (e.g., a dash display). 
     The SSI assembly  120  is communicatively coupled to the wiring harness  114  and is configured to read the sensor signal from the wiring harness  114 . The SSI assembly  120  includes a sensing interface  129 , a plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c  and a controller  170  communicatively coupled to the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c  and the sensing interface  129 . The SSI assembly  120  includes an assembly housing  122 , which houses the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c  and the controller  170 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1A , the sensing interface  129  is integrated with the assembly housing  122 . In other embodiments, the sensing interface  129  may be positioned remote from the assembly housing  122  (e.g., as described with respect to the SSI assembly  220 ,  320 ,  620  and  720 ). In still other embodiments, the sensing interface  129  may be disposed inside a connector that mates with the sensor  112 , for example via leads, pins, wiring, etc. 
     The sensing interface  129  is communicatively coupled to the wiring harness  114  to receive a sensor signal (e.g., an analog signal such as current, voltage or frequency) therefrom, the sensor signal indicating the sensor status corresponding to a status of the apparatus  10 . In some embodiments, the sensing interface  129  may include pins or electrical wires electrically coupled to the wiring harness  114 . For example, the sensing interface  129  may include pins inserted through a protective sheath of the wiring harness  114  to contact an underlying electric lead of the wiring harness that transmits the sensor signal. Alternatively, the sensing interface  129  may include an electrical wire and a portion of the protective sheath of the wiring harness may be stripped off to connect the electrical wire to the underlying electrical lead of the wiring harness  114 . 
     In other embodiments, the sensing interface  129  may include a wireless receiver configured to sense the sensor signals transmitted through the electrical lead of the wiring harness without physically connecting the sensing interface to the electrical lead. For example, the sensing interface  129  may include an inductive sensor, a current clamp (e.g., hall effect sensor, a transformer or a vane type coil) or any other wireless sensor positioned around the wiring harness  114  (e.g., clipped to a portion of the wiring harness or positioned around the wiring harness  114 ) and configured to detect the sensor signal transmitted through the wiring harness  114 . 
     The plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c  may include any suitable visual indicator that can generate a visual signal corresponding to the sensor signal in response to an indicator signal from the controller  170 . The controller  170  is configured to interpret the sensor signal to determine the sensor status. The controller  170  is also configured to activate at least one visual indicator of the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c  to generate a visual signal corresponding to the sensor status. 
     For example, the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c  may include light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to generate different visual signals, for example, different colors indicating a specific sensor status corresponding to a specific status of the apparatus  10 . In other embodiments, the SSI assembly  120  may include a single LED configured to generate a visual signal comprising different colors corresponding to the sensor status. In still other embodiments, the SSI assembly  120  may include an LED or LCD display for displaying the sensor status using any other visual signal. For example, the visual signal may include a bar which progressively increases in height based on a life or operational efficiency of the apparatus  10  (e.g., increasing height of the bar corresponding to increase in clogging of a filter) or displaying in alphabets or symbols the status of the sensor (e.g., OPERATIONAL, FAILING, FAILED, etc.). 
     In embodiments in which the apparatus  10  includes a filter assembly, a first visual indicator  132   a  (e.g., a first LED) of the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c  may include a green LED configured to be activated when the pressure signal generated by the sensor  112  corresponds to the pressure of the filter assembly being less than the pressure threshold range indicating that the filter assembly is working property (i.e., the filter is not clogged). A second visual indicator  132   b  (e.g., a second LED) of the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c  may include a yellow LED configured to be activated when the pressure signal generated by the sensor  112  corresponds to the pressure of the filter assembly being within the pressure threshold range indicating that the filter assembly is about to fail (i.e., the filter is substantially clogged). Similarly, a third visual indicator  132   c  of the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c  may comprise a red LED configured to be activated when the pressure signal generated by the sensor  112  corresponds to the pressure of the filter assembly being greater than the pressure threshold range or below the low pressure threshold indicating that the filter assembly has failed (i.e., the filter is completely clogged or has cracked, respectively). 
     In some embodiments, the controller  170  may also be configured to determine an operational status of the sensor  112  based on the sensor signal. For example, the controller  170  may determine that the sensor  112  has malfunctioned if large or fast moving transients are observed in the sensor signal, or conversely, negligible changes are observed in the sensor signal over long operational periods of the apparatus  10 . 
     In particular embodiments, the controller  170  may be included in a control circuitry. For example,  FIG. 1B  is a schematic block diagram of a control circuitry  171  that comprises the controller  170 , according to an embodiment. The controller  170  comprises a processor  172 , a memory  174 , or any other computer readable medium, and may also include a communication interface  126 . Furthermore, the controller  170  includes a sensor signal analysis circuitry  174   a  and an indicator control circuitry  174   b.  It should be understood that the controller  170  shows only one embodiment of the controller  170  and any other controller capable of performing the operations described herein can be used. 
     The processor  172  can comprise a microprocessor, programmable logic controller (PLC) chip, an ASIC chip, or any other suitable processor. The processor  172  is in communication with the memory  174  and configured to execute instructions, algorithms, commands, or otherwise programs stored in the memory  174 . 
     The memory  174  comprises any of the memory and/or storage components discussed herein. For example, memory  174  may comprise a RAM and/or cache of processor  172 . The memory  174  may also comprise one or more storage devices (e.g., hard drives, flash drives, computer readable media, etc.) either local or remote to controller  170 . The memory  174  is configured to store look up tables, algorithms, or instructions. 
     In one configuration, the sensor signal analysis circuitry  174   a  and the indicator control circuitry  174   b  are embodied as machine or computer-readable media (e.g., stored in the memory  174 ) that is executable by a processor, such as the processor  172 . As described herein and amongst other uses, the machine-readable media (e.g., the memory  174 ) facilitates performance of certain operations to enable reception and transmission of data. For example, the machine-readable media may provide an instruction (e.g., command, etc.) to, e.g., acquire data. In this regard, the machine-readable media may include programmable logic that defines the frequency of acquisition of the data (or, transmission of the data). Thus, the computer readable media may include code, which may be written in any programming language including, but not limited to, Java or the like and any conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The computer readable program code may be executed on one processor or multiple remote processors. In the latter scenario, the remote processors may be connected to each other through any type of network (e.g., CAN bus, etc.). 
     In another configuration, the sensor signal analysis circuitry  174   a  and the indicator control circuitry  174   b  may be embodied as one or more circuitry components including, but not limited to, processing circuitry, network interfaces, peripheral devices, input devices, output devices, sensors, etc. 
     In some embodiments, the sensor signal analysis circuitry  174   a  and the indicator control circuitry  174   b  may take the form of one or more analog circuits, electronic circuits (e.g., integrated circuits (IC), discrete circuits, system on a chip (SOCs) circuits, microcontrollers, etc.), telecommunication circuits, hybrid circuits, and any other type of “circuit.” In this regard, the sensor signal analysis circuitry  174   a  and the indicator control circuitry  174   b  may include any type of component for accomplishing or facilitating achievement of the operations described herein. For example, a circuit as described herein may include one or more transistors, logic gates (e.g., NAND, AND, NOR, OR, XOR, NOT, XNOR, etc.), resistors, multiplexers, registers, capacitors, inductors, diodes, wiring, and so on. 
     Thus, the sensor signal analysis circuitry  174   a  and the indicator control circuitry  174   b  may also include programmable hardware devices such as field programmable gate arrays, programmable array logic, programmable logic devices or the like. In this regard, the sensor signal analysis circuitry  174   a  and the indicator control circuitry  174   b  may include one or more memory devices for storing instructions that are executable by the processor(s) of the sensor signal analysis circuitry  174   a  and the indicator control circuitry  174   b.  The one or more memory devices and processor(s) may have the same definition as provided below with respect to the memory  174  and the processor  172 . 
     In the example shown, the controller  170  includes the processor  172  and the memory  174 . The processor  172  and the memory  174  may be structured or configured to execute or implement the instructions, commands, and/or control processes described herein with respect the sensor signal analysis circuitry  174   a  and the indicator control circuitry  174   b.  Thus, the depicted configuration represents the aforementioned arrangement where the sensor signal analysis circuitry  174   a  and the indicator control circuitry  174   b  are embodied as machine or computer-readable media. However, as mentioned above, this illustration is not meant to be limiting as the present disclosure contemplates other embodiments such as the aforementioned embodiment where the sensor signal analysis circuitry  174   a  and the indicator control circuitry  174   b,  or at least one circuit of the sensor signal analysis circuitry  174   a  and the indicator control circuitry  174   b  are configured as a hardware unit. All such combinations and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The processor  172  may be implemented as one or more general-purpose processors, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a digital signal processor (DSP), a group of processing components, or other suitable electronic processing components. In some embodiments, the one or more processors may be shared by multiple circuits (e.g., the sensor signal analysis circuitry  174   a  and the indicator control circuitry  174   b ) may comprise or otherwise share the same processor which, in some example embodiments, may execute instructions stored, or otherwise accessed, via different areas of memory). Alternatively or additionally, the one or more processors may be structured to perform or otherwise execute certain operations independent of one or more co-processors. In other example embodiments, two or more processors may be coupled via a bus to enable independent, parallel, pipelined, or multi-threaded instruction execution. All such variations are intended to fall within the scope of the present disclosure. 
     The memory  174  (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash Memory, hard disk storage, etc.) may store data and/or computer code for facilitating the various processes described herein. The memory  174  may be communicably connected to the processor  172  to provide computer code or instructions to the processor  172  for executing at least some of the processes described herein. Moreover, the memory  174  may be or include tangible, non-transient volatile memory or non-volatile memory. Accordingly, the memory  174  may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described herein. 
     The sensor signal analysis circuitry  174   a  may be configured to interpret the sensor signal received from the sensor  112  (e.g., a voltage, current, frequency or any other analog signal) and determine a sensor status therefrom. The indicator control circuitry  174   b  is configured to generate an indicator signal (e.g., current, voltage or frequency) to activate at least one of the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c  based on the sensor status determined from the sensor signal, as previously described herein. 
     The communication interface  126  may include wireless interfaces (e.g., jacks, antennas, transmitters, receivers, communication interfaces, wire terminals, etc.) for conducting data communications with the sensing interface  129 , optionally an external controller  180  For example, the communication interface  126  may include a controller sensor for receiving the sensor signal. In some embodiments, the communication interface  126  may be structured to communicate via local area networks or wide area networks (e.g., the Internet, etc.) and may use a variety of communications protocols (e.g., IP, LON, Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy (BTLE), ZigBee, radio, cellular, near field communication, etc.) with the external controller. In other embodiments, the communication interface  126  may include a wired interface (e.g., a CAN bus, a serial interface, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface) to allow coupling of the controller  170  to the external controller  180  (e.g., an ECM, a data logger, a dash display, etc.). 
     For example, the external controller  180  may be coupled to a display  182  and/or a server  184 . The communication interface  126  may be selectively activated, for example, via an activation signal from the external controller  180  or a remote control (e.g., a garage opener, or a remote ignition type signal generator) and communicate a sensor status signal to the external controller  180 . The external controller  180  may be configured to interpret and/or communicate the sensor status signal to the display  182  to show the sensor status on the display  182  (e.g., via a web interface or dedicated application). The display  182  maybe integrated with the external controller  180  (e.g., in a hand held device) or located remotely from the external controller  180 . Furthermore, the external controller  180  may be configured to communicate the sensor status signal to the server  184 , for example, to enable remote monitoring or data logging on the server  184 . In other embodiments, the communication interface  126  may be used to receive software updates (e.g., via BTLE) from the external controller, for example, for reprogramming the controller  170  or resetting the SSI assembly  120 . 
     In some embodiments, the controller  170  may be configured to determine an average sensor status over a period of time and communicate the average sensor status to the server  184  or display  182  via the communication interface  126 . In other embodiments, the controller  170  may be configured to determine an anomalous or outlier sensor status (e.g., corresponding to failure of the apparatus  10  or the sensor  112 ) and communicate the anomalous sensor status to the server  184  or the display  182 . 
     In some embodiments, the SSI assembly  120  may be configured to draw electrical power directly from the wiring harness  114 . In such embodiments, the sensing interface  129  may include pins or wires electrically coupled to the wiring harness  114  as previously described herein to draw electrical power therefrom for powering the SSI assembly  120  in addition to determining the sensor signal therefrom. In other embodiments in which the sensing interface  129  includes an inductive coupling, the SSI assembly  120  may include an inductive power generator configured to inductively generate electrical power using the electrical signal passing through the wiring harness  114 . 
     In the above described embodiments, the SSI assembly  120  may be continuously powered ON. Furthermore, at least one of the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c  may always be activated based on the sensor status of the sensor  112 . In some embodiments, the SSI assembly  120  may include a switch  134  (e.g., a toggle switch or button) which may be selectively engaged by a user to activate or deactivate the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c.  In some embodiments, a remote control (e.g., a garage opener, or a remote ignition type signal generator) may be used to turn on a system (e.g., a vehicle) including the apparatus  10  and the SSI assembly  120  for a short period of time (e.g., 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 seconds) to enable the SSI assembly  120  to measure the sensor signal and indicate the sensor status to a user via at least one of the visual indicators  132   a/b/c.  In other embodiments, the system (e.g., a vehicle) may be turned ON for longer periods of time, for example, when the SSI assembly  120  is being reset. In particular embodiments, the SSI assembly  120  may be remotely activated by an activation signal, for example, a BTLE activation signal received via the communication interface  126 . 
     In some embodiments, the SSI assembly  120  may also include a power source  128  configured to provide power to the SSI assembly  120 . The power source  128  may include, for example, a battery (e.g., a replaceable battery or a rechargeable battery). In such embodiment, the SSI assembly  120  or at least the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c  may generally be in an OFF or inactive configuration, for example, to save power. The SSI assembly  120  may be selectively turned ON, for example, via the switch  134  or via an activation signal received via the communication interface  126 . 
     In some embodiments, a sensing interface of a SSI assembly may be positioned remotely from other components of the SSI assembly. For example,  FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of a SSI assembly  220 , according to another embodiment. The SSI assembly  220  includes the housing assembly  122 , the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c,  the controller  170 , and may optionally also include the communication interface  126 , the power source  128  and the switch  134 . The SSI assembly  220  comprises a sensing interface  229  communicatively coupled to the wiring harness  114  of the sensor  112 , for example physically connected to an electrical lead of the wiring harness or wirelessly (e.g., inductively) coupled thereto. The sensing interface  229  is positioned remotely from the assembly housing  122 , and a sensing interface lead  236  electrically couples the sensing interface  229  to the controller  170 . The sensing interface lead  236  may include a CAN bus, a serial or analog transmission wire, etc. Remotely positioning the sensing interface  229  from the assembly housing  122  may allow positioning of the assembly housing  122  and thereby, the visual indicators  132   a/b/c  at a more convenient location relative to the sensing interface  229 , for example, to facilitate observation by a user. In some embodiments, the sensing interface  229  may be disposed inside a connector that mates with the sensor  112 , for example via leads, pins, wiring, etc. 
     In some embodiments, a single SSI assembly may be used to determine the sensor status of two or even more sensors. For example,  FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of a SSI assembly  320 , according to another embodiment. The SSI assembly  220  includes the housing assembly  122 , the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c,  the controller  170  and the switch  134 , and may optionally also include the communication interface  126  and the power source  128 . The SSI assembly  320  comprises a first sensing interface  329  communicatively coupled to the wiring harness  114  of the sensor  112  which is coupled to the apparatus  10 , for example physically connected to an electrical lead of the wiring harness or inductively coupled thereto. The first sensing interface  329  is positioned remotely from the assembly housing  122 , and a first sensing interface lead  336  electrically couples the first sensing interface  329  to the controller  170 . 
     The SSI assembly  320  also comprises a second sensing interface  339  also remotely positioned from the assembly housing  122 . The second sensing interface  339  is communicatively coupled to a second wiring harness  314  of a second sensor  312  which is operably coupled to a second apparatus  20  (e.g., a second filter assembly). In some embodiments, each of first sensing interface  329  may be disposed inside a first connector that mates with the sensor  112 , and the second sensing interface  339  may be disposed inside a second connector that mates with the second sensor  312 , for example via leads, pins, wiring, etc. In some embodiments, the switch  134  may be configured to be switched between the first sensing interface  329  and the second sensing interface  339  selectively by a user. For example, in a first configuration (e.g., a first position), the switch  134  may communicatively couple the controller  170  to the first sensing interface  329  to allow processing of the sensor signal therefrom. In the first configuration, the visual signal displayed by the visual indicators  132   a/b/c  correspond to the sensor status of the sensor  112 . 
     In a second configuration (e.g., a second position), the switch  134  may communicatively the couple the controller  170  to the second sensor  312 . The second sensor generates a second sensor signal indicating a second sensor status corresponding to a status of the second apparatus  20  to which the second sensor  312  is coupled. The controller  170  may receive the second sensor signal from the second sensor  312 , interpret the second sensor signal to determine the second sensor status, and activate at least one of the visual indicators  132   a/b/c  to generate a visual signal corresponding to the second sensor status. In some embodiments, the switch  134  may also be movable into a third configuration (e.g., a third position) in which the switch  134  deactivates the SSI assembly  120  (e.g., the controller  170 , the communication interface  126  and the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c ) or at least the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c  (e.g., turns the SSI assembly  120  or at least the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c  OFF). In some embodiments, the switch  134  may include a dual function button. In such embodiments, engaging the button for a first time period may communicatively couple the first sensing interface  329  to the controller  170  and engaging the button for a second time period longer than the first time period may communicatively couple the second sensing interface  339  to the controller  170 . 
     In some embodiments, an SSI assembly may include an activation sensor configured to sense a predetermined sensor signal threshold before activating one or more visual indicators or providing power to a controller of the SSI assembly, for example, to conserve power. For example,  FIG. 4  is a schematic illustration of a SSI assembly  420 , according to an embodiment. The SSI assembly  420  comprises the assembly housing  122 , the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c,  the controller  170 , and may optionally also include the communication interface  126 , the power source  128  and/or the sensing interface  129 . In other embodiments, the SSI assembly  420  may include the sensing interface  229  coupled to the controller  170  via the sensing interface lead  236 . 
     The SSI assembly  420  also includes an activation sensor  442 . The activation sensor  442  may be configured to measure a sensor status signal received from a sensor (e.g., the sensor  112 ) and in response to the sensor status signal being above a sensor status threshold, below a sensor status threshold, within a predetermined sensor status threshold range or any suitable combination thereof, activate the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c  or the controller  170 , for example, to conserve power. In some embodiments, in which the sensor (e.g., the sensor  112 ) includes a pressure sensor, the activation sensor  442  may include a pressure switch. In such embodiments, the activation sensor  442  may be configured to activate the visual indicators  132   a/b/c  or the controller  170  (e.g., communicatively couple the visual indicators  132   a/b/c  to the controller  170  or communicatively couple the power source  128  to the controller  170  to selectively allow transmission of electrical power thereto) in response to the sensor status corresponding to a pressure being within a predetermined threshold range, above a predetermined threshold or below a low pressure threshold, as previously described herein. In other embodiments, the activation sensor  442  may include a MEMS sensor, a capacitive sensor, a transistor or any other solid state sensor which may serve as a gate for activating the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c,  for example, to supply electrical power thereto when a sensor signal (e.g., a pressure) signal is present, thereby conserving power. 
     In some embodiments, a SSI assembly may also be coupled to an external power source or an external controller. For example,  FIG. 5  is a schematic illustration of a SSI assembly  520 , according to an embodiment. The SSI assembly  520  comprises the assembly housing  122 , the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c,  the controller  170 , and may optionally also include the communication interface  126 , the power source  128  and/or the sensing interface  129 . In other embodiments, the SSI assembly  520  may include the sensing interface  229  coupled to the controller  170  via the sensing interface lead  236 . 
     The SSI assembly  520  also comprises a communication lead  544  (e.g., a CAN bus or an analog or digital transmission line) coupled to an external system  550 . In some embodiments, the external system  550  may comprise an external power source (e.g., a vehicle battery or alternator) configured to provide electric power to the SSI assembly  520 , for example, for powering the controller  170 , the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c  and/or recharge the power source  128 . In other embodiments, the external system  550  may comprise an external controller (e.g., an ECM) configured to communicate with the controller  170 , for example, to receive data corresponding to the sensor status from the SSI assembly  520 , reset the controller  170  or reprogram the controller  170 . In particular embodiments, the SSI assembly  520  may include a communication interface, for example, a CAN interface, a serial interface, a USB interface or any other suitable interface provided in the assembly housing  122  for selectively allowing coupling of the controller  170  to the external system  550 . In still other embodiments, the external system  550  may comprise a telematics system, a data logger and/or a display (e.g., a dash display of a vehicle). 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic illustration of a SSI assembly  620 , according to another embodiment. The SSI assembly  620  comprises the assembly housing  122 , the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c,  the controller  170 , and may optionally also include the communication interface  126  and the power source  128 . The SSI assembly  620  also includes the sensing interface  229  positioned remotely from the assembly housing  122  and communicatively coupled to the controller  170  positioned in the assembly housing  122  via the sensing interface lead  236 . The SSI assembly  620  further comprises a first communication lead  644  communicatively coupling the controller to an external system (e.g., the external system  550 , as previously described herein). Furthermore, a second communication lead  646  couples the sensing interface  229  to the external system or any other external system described herein, so as to allow communication between the external system and the sensing interface  229 . In particular embodiments, any one of the first or second communication lead  644  or  646  may be excluded such that the remaining communication lead  644  or  646  may serve to allow communication between the external system and each of the controller  170  and the sensing interface  229 . 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic illustration of a SSI assembly  720 , according to yet another embodiment. The SSI assembly  720  comprises the assembly housing  122 , the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c,  the controller  170 , and may optionally also include the communication interface  126  and the power source  128 . The SSI assembly  620  also includes the first sensing interface  329  and the second sensing interface  339  positioned remotely from the assembly housing  122  and communicatively coupled to the controller  170  positioned in the assembly housing  122  via the first sensing interface lead  336  and the second sensing interface lead  338 . The SSI assembly  720  comprises a first communication lead  744  communicatively coupling the controller to an external system (e.g., the external system  550 , as previously described herein). Furthermore, a second communication lead  746  couples the first sensing interface  329  and a third communication lead  748  couples the second sensing interface  339  to the an external system (e.g., the external system  550  or any other external system described herein), so as to allow communication between the external system and the controller  170  as well as each of the sensing interfaces  329  and  339 . In particular embodiments, any one of the first, second or third communication leads  744 ,  746  or  748  may be excluded such that the remaining communication lead may serve to allow communication between the external system and each of the controller  170  and the sensing interfaces  329  and  339 . 
       FIG. 8  is a schematic flow diagram of a method  800  for visual indication of a sensor status of sensor, according to an embodiment. The method  800  comprises communicatively coupling a SSI assembly (e.g., the SSI assembly  120 ,  220 ,  320 ,  420 ,  520 ,  620 ,  720 ) including at least one visual indicator (e.g., the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c ) to a wiring harness (e.g., the wiring harness  114 ) of a first sensor (e.g., the first sensor  112 ) coupled to an apparatus (e.g., the apparatus  10 ), at  802 . For example, the sensing interface  129  or  229  of the SSI assembly  120 ,  220  is coupled to the wiring harness  114 . 
     In some embodiments, the SSI assembly (e.g., the SSI assembly  320 ,  720 ) may include a first sensing interface (e.g., the first sensing interface  329 ) and a second sensing interface (e.g., the second sensing interface  339 ). In such embodiments, the method  800  may also include communicatively coupling the SSI assembly to a second wiring harness (e.g., the second wiring harness (e.g., the second wiring harness  314 ) of a second sensor (e.g., the second sensor  312 ) coupled to a second apparatus (e.g., the second apparatus  20 ), at  804 . For example, the first sensing interface  329  may be coupled to the first wiring harness  114  and the second sensing interface  339  is coupled to the second wiring harness  314 . 
     In some embodiments, the SSI assembly is selectively activated, at  806 . For example, the switch  134  may be used to selectively activate the controller  170  or the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c  to conserve power, as previously described herein. In other embodiments, the SSI assembly may be continuously activated, for example, in embodiments in which the SSI assembly draws electrical power from the wiring harness or an external power source. 
     At  808 , a visual signal produced by the at least one visual indicator is recorded, the visual signal corresponding to a status of the apparatus. For example, a visual signal produced by at least one of the visual indicators  132   a/b/c  is recorded (e.g., a visually observed by a user or recorded in a data logger or memory of an external controller or server) and indicates a sensor status corresponding to a status of the apparatus to which the sensor is coupled. 
     In some embodiments, in which the SSI assembly includes two sensing interfaces coupled to respective wiring harnesses, the method  800  may also include reconfiguring the SSI assembly to cause the at least one visual indicator to generate visual signal corresponding to the second sensor, at  810 . For example, the switch  134  may be engaged to communicatively couple the second sensing interface  339  to the controller  170  and disconnect the first sensing interface  329  therefrom. This allows the controller  170  to determine the second sensor status of the second sensor and activate at least one of the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c  based on the second sensor status which corresponds to a status of the second apparatus  20 . At  812 , the visual signal produced by the at least one visual indicator (e.g., at least one of the plurality of visual indicators  132   a/b/c ) corresponding to the status of the second apparatus (e.g., the second apparatus  20 ) is recorded (e.g., observed visually or stored in a data logger). 
     In some embodiments, the SSI assembly is reset, at  814 . For example, an external controller (e.g., the external system  550 ) may communicate a reset signal to the SSI assembly  520  through the communication lead  544  or wirelessly (e.g., via BTLE) to reset the controller  170  of the SSI assembly  520  or reprogram the controller  170 . 
     It should be noted that the term “example” or “exemplary” as used herein to describe various embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term is not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples). 
     As utilized herein, the terms “substantially’ and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise arrangements and/or numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the inventions as recited in the appended claims. 
     The terms “coupled,” and the like as used herein mean the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent) or movable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. 
     It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the various embodiments presented herein are illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter described herein. Additionally, it should be understood that features from one embodiment disclosed herein may be combined with features of other embodiments disclosed herein as one of ordinary skill in the art would understand. Other substitutions, modifications, changes and omissions may also be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     While this specification contains many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any inventions or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features specific to particular implementations of particular inventions. Certain features described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in a single implementation. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single implementation can also be implemented in multiple implementations separately or in any suitable subcombination. Moreover, although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and even initially claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination, and the claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination or variation of a subcombination.