Patent ID: 6094932
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: F25D

Abstract:
A diffuser assembly for use in a refrigerator having a liner wall with a first air flow opening therein, the diffuser assembly comprising:a housing mounted to the liner wall and covering the first air flow opening, the housing including side walls and an exterior wall having a second air flow opening spaced from the liner wall by the side walls, the housing including an air flow passage extending through the housing between the first air flow opening and a second air flow opening for communicating air flow from the liner opening to the second air flow opening and into the refrigerator, and the exterior wall of the housing having a first centralized opening passing therethrough;an elongate leaf spring secured in the housing adjacent the inner surface of the exterior wall for providing a spring bias away from the exterior wall, the leaf spring including a second centralized opening aligned with the first centralized opening of the exterior wall;a dial diffuser having an elongate shaft extending through the first and second centralized openings with a shaft controlling portion extending beyond the exterior wall of the housing; the dial diffuser having a substantially circular disk shaped damper drawn against the leaf spring, the damper having a cut out portion and being rotatable with the shaft to control coverage area of the first air flow opening in the liner and control air flow through the housing; and,a locking member secured to the shaft extension portion adjacent to and in pressing relation with the exterior wall of the housing to hold the shaft under tension with the disc damper pulled against the biased leaf spring.