Deformation detecting device comprising a multi-functional fabric with flocked conductive weft yarns

A deformation detecting device, comprising:

• a multi-functional fabric, including weft yarns and warp yarns woven together,
• wherein at least some of said weft yarns, or both at least some of said weft yarns and at least some of said warp yarns, are electrically conductive,
• wherein said weft yarns are provided with a flocking made up of non-electrically conductive fibers protruding substantially radially from the weft yarns,
• wherein the electrically conductive yarns are connected to conductive ends for applying an electrical voltage, in such a way that yarns connected to conductive ends of different polarities define respective capacitive sensor plates of a capacitive sensor, while the fibers of the flocking of said weft yarns define a dielectric material interposed between the capacitive sensor plates, and
• an electronic control and processing unit connected to said conductive ends and configured to detect a deformation of said fabric on the basis of a detection of a capacitance variation of said capacitive sensor.