Abstract: Disclosed herein is an occupancy detection device for detecting an occupancy of a seat of a motor vehicle. The occupancy detection device comprises an electric resonant circuit and a sensor element, wherein the electric resonant circuit experiences a change due to a change of the surroundings of the sensor element, so that with reference to the determined electrical parameter an occupancy of the seat can be detected; and a heater control connected with the occupancy detection device such that the sensor element can simultaneously operate as a heater.

Abstract: The invention relates to an occupancy detection device for detecting an occupancy of a seat of a motor vehicle. The occupancy detection device comprises an electric resonant circuit which includes a first and a second inductance and at least one sensor element; means for charging the resonant circuit with an alternating voltage; means for determining at least one electrical parameter in the resonant circuit (2), wherein the electric resonant circuit experiences a change due to a change of the surroundings of the sensor element, so that with reference to the determined electrical parameter an occupancy of the seat can be detected; and a first and a second terminal, via which a heater control can be connected with the occupancy detection device, in order to be able to simultaneously operate the sensor element as heater.