Refrigerator airflow distribution system and method

A refrigerator comprising:

• a freezer compartment;
• a fresh food compartment comprising a first side and a second side opposite said first side;
• an airflow distribution assembly located in said fresh food compartment and in flow communication with said freezer compartment, said airflow distribution assembly extending vertically along said first side and comprising a plurality of vents;
• at least one air passage in flow communication with said air distribution assembly, said air passage extending laterally from said first side to said second side;
• and
• a fan in flow communication with said airflow distribution assembly and in flow communication with said at least one passage, said fan configured to direct air concurrently through said airflow distribution assembly and said at least one passage.

A method for controlling airflow distribution in a refrigerator, the refrigerator including a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment having a light assembly therein, a duct establishing flow communication between the freezer compartment and the fresh food compartment, a fan for drawing air through the duct, a damper in flow communication the fan and in flow communication with the light assembly, a flow separator in flow communication the fan for directing air away from the light assembly, and a fresh food compartment door, said method comprising the steps of:

• positioning the damper to block airflow through the light assembly in a normal cooling operation;
• operating the fan to draw freezer compartment air into the duct and into the flow separator;
• energizing the light assembly when the fresh food compartment door is opened;
• and
• re-positioning the damper to place the light assembly in flow communication with the fan, thereby creating a pressure drop in the light assembly and causing airflow through the light assembly to remove heat from the light assembly.