Apparatus for detecting a force effect and a method for detecting a force effect

A bumper of a vehicle comprising:

• an apparatus comprising
• two electrical conductors that run substantially in parallel to one another and spaced longitudinally at a distance from one another;
• a deformable spacer arranged between the two electrical conductors;
• a first measuring device electrically connected to one end of each of the two electrical conductors;
• a second measuring device electrically connected to a respective other end of the two electrical conductors such that the first and second measuring devices are electrically connected to one another by the two electrical conductors,
• wherein the first measuring device is configured to detect a change in a first variable caused by a change in the distance between the two electrical conductors;
• and
• wherein the second measuring device is configured to detect a change in a second variable caused by the change in the distance between the two electrical conductors;
• wherein the apparatus is directly or indirectly connected to the bumper such that, in the event of an impact with an object, the distance between the two electrical conductors is changed as a result of a resulting force effect on the bumper.

A method for detecting a force effect by an apparatus for detecting a force effect, wherein the apparatus comprises two electrical conductors that run substantially in parallel to one another and spaced longitudinally at a distance from one another, a deformable spacer arranged between the two electrical conductors, a first measuring device electrically connected to one end of each of the two electrical conductors a second measuring device that is electrically connected to a respective other end of the two electrical conductors such that the first and second measuring devices are electrically connected to one another by the two electrical conductors, wherein the first measuring device and the second measuring device are configured to detect a change in respective first and second variables caused by the change in the distance between the two electrical conductors that occurs in response to the force effect applied to the apparatus, the method comprising:

• generating a test signal with the first measuring device and applying the test signal to the apparatus,
• recording a first result of the test signal with the first measuring device,
• recording a second result of the test signal with the second measuring device;
• comparing the first result to the second result, such that functionality of the apparatus can be assessed on the basis of the comparison.