Air distribution system with contactless activation of air openings

An air distribution system in the passenger compartment of a vehicle comprising at least one outlet for the outflow of air into the passenger compartment, one conduit for feeding a flow of air to said outlet, and means for activating the outlet, that is, for commanding the opening of said outlet and/or for enabling the feeding of a flow of air to the outlet through said conduit,

• wherein the aforesaid activating means include a proximity sensor positioned adjacent to said outlet and able to output an electrical signal to activate the outlet as a result of the detection of the presence of a hand at a short distance from the outlet,
• wherein said activating means further comprises:
• an actuator that causes said outlet to be brought:
• (1) from an activated condition to a deactivated condition, and
• (2) from the deactivated condition to the activated condition, and
• an electronic control unit for receiving the signal emitted from said sensor and controlling said actuator, so that
• when the outlet is in an initial open position, the sensor actuates the outlet from the initial open position to a closed position whenever a hand is placed in front of the sensor without touching the sensor, and
• when the outlet is in an initial closed position, the sensor actuates the outlet from the initial closed position to an open position whenever a hand is placed in front of the sensor without touching the sensor, and
• wherein said actuator drives the movement of a plurality of oscillating tabs or other mechanical closure means associated to the outlet between the closed position and the open position of the outlet.