Condensation protection tray

Abstract

A tray for an HVAC controller includes a tray base, a first mounting tab secured to the tray base and configured to interlock with a corresponding mount of a cabinet of an indoor unit of an HVAC system, a mounting bracket secured to the tray base and comprising an aperture for receiving a mounting screw therethrough, a drip wall that extends up from the tray base, and a cover extending up from the tray base that includes a wall and a top plate. The cover is positioned to protect a component of the HVAC controller from impact when the HVAC controller is installed in the tray.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tray for an HVAC controller, the tray comprising:
 a tray base;   a first mounting tab secured to the tray base and configured to interlock with a corresponding mount of a cabinet of an indoor unit of an HVAC system;   a mounting bracket secured to the tray base and comprising an aperture for receiving a mounting screw therethrough;   a drip wall that extends up from the tray base;   a cover extending up from the tray base, the cover comprising a wall and a top plate; and   wherein the cover protects a component of the HVAC controller from impact when the HVAC controller is installed in the tray.   
     
     
         2 . The tray of  claim 1 , comprising:
 a second mounting tab secured to the tray base and configured to receive an edge of the HVAC controller; and   a mounting point formed into the tray base for receiving a fastener to secure the HVAC controller to the tray.   
     
     
         3 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the top plate comprises a locking tab that removably secures the top plate to the wall. 
     
     
         4 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the top plate comprises a plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         5 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the wall wraps around a corner of the tray. 
     
     
         6 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the drip wall comprises at least one guide configured to prevent condensate from dripping off either side of the drip wall. 
     
     
         7 . The tray of  claim 1 , wherein the drip wall extends up from the tray base at an angle so that condensate that drips onto the drip wall drains off of the drip wall toward a back side of the tray base. 
     
     
         8 . The tray of  claim 7 , wherein the angle is less than 90°. 
     
     
         9 . An HVAC system comprising:
 an indoor unit comprising:
 an evaporator coil disposed within a cabinet of the indoor unit and configured to provide a cooling duty to air of an enclosed space; 
 a blower configured to circulate the air of the enclosed space around the evaporator coil; 
 an HVAC controller; 
 a circuit breaker disposed within the cabinet and configured to provide electrical power to the indoor unit; and 
 a tray configured to secure the HVAC controller thereto, the tray comprising:
 a tray base; 
 a first mounting tab secured to the tray base and configured to interlock with a corresponding mount within the indoor unit; 
 a mounting bracket secured to the tray base and comprising an aperture for receiving a mounting screw therethrough; 
 a drip wall that extends up from the tray base; 
 a cover extending up from the tray base, the cover comprising a wall and a top plate; and 
 wherein the cover protects a component of the HVAC controller from impact when the HVAC controller is installed in the tray. 
 
   
     
     
         10 . The HVAC system of  claim 9 , comprising:
 a second mounting tab secured to the tray base and configured to receive an edge of the HVAC controller; and   a mounting point formed into the tray base for receiving a fastener to secure the HVAC controller to the tray.   
     
     
         11 . The HVAC system of  claim 9 , wherein the top plate comprises a locking tab that removably secures the top plate to the wall. 
     
     
         12 . The HVAC system of  claim 9 , wherein the top plate comprises a plurality of perforations. 
     
     
         13 . The HVAC system of  claim 9 , wherein the wall wraps around a corner of the tray. 
     
     
         14 . The HVAC system of  claim 9 , wherein the drip wall comprises at least one guide configured to prevent condensate from dripping off either side of drip wall. 
     
     
         15 . The HVAC system of  claim 9 , wherein the drip wall extends up from the tray base at an angle so that condensate that drips onto the drip wall drains off of the drip wall toward a back side of the tray base. 
     
     
         16 . The HVAC system of  claim 15 , wherein the angle is less than 90°. 
     
     
         17 . The HVAC system of  claim 9 , wherein the indoor unit is oriented so that the circuit breaker is positioned above the tray. 
     
     
         18 . A method of protecting an HVAC controller from condensate, the method comprising:
 securing the HVAC controller to a tray, the tray comprising:
 a tray base; 
 a first mounting tab secured to the tray base and configured to interlock with a corresponding mount of a cabinet of an indoor unit of an HVAC system; 
 a mounting bracket secured to the tray base and comprising an aperture for receiving a mounting screw therethrough; and 
 a cover extending up from the tray base, the cover comprising a wall and a top plate; and 
 wherein the cover protects a component of the HVAC controller from impact when the HVAC controller is installed in the tray. 
   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the securing comprises inserting an edge of a PCB of the HVAC controller into a second mounting tab associated with a tray base of the tray. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 18 , comprising securing the tray within a cabinet of an indoor unit of an HVAC system.