GLAZED BALCONY WITH INTEGRATED HEAT PUMP

Abstract

 The invention relates to a balcony system (1) comprising:
- a glass wall (20) for railing;
- a support structure (21) for securing the glass wall (20), wherein the glass wall (20) is provided with an opening (22);
- an element (40) for enclosing at least an inwardly exposed portion of the outer unit (31) having a front side, a back side, a top side and two edge sides, wherein the element (40) is configured for guiding supply air past the outer unit (31) on at least the top side and the edge sides, and into an inlet on the back side; and
- a drainage pipe (50) for connecting the outer unit (31) to a drainage system (55).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention relates to a balcony system. More particularly, the invention relates to a glazed balcony system with an outer unit of a heat pump which is integrated in the glass railing.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Installing an outer unit of a heat pump on a glazed balcony presents several difficulties. Firstly, to install the outer unit on the wall inside the glazed balcony is not optimal because the outer unit will produce cold air that cools down the room defined by the glazed balcony. The effect of the heat pump will be significantly reduced by the cold air inside the glazed balcony. The balcony will be less attractive to use, the lifetime of the pump will be reduced, and there will be no guarantee from the producer of the heating pump. Secondly, a heat pump may produce up to 7-8 litres of condensed water per day that will expose the inside of the glazed balcony to humidity. The water may freeze in wintertime, which may cause severe construction damage. Additionally, the water may give growth conditions to fungus and rot damage, and may thus represent a health hazard. The condensed water may represent a great challenge for housing blocks with e.g., 50-500 apartments each having a heat pump. Thirdly, installing the outer unit inside the balcony may also present a fire hazard. Fourthly, hanging the outer unit on the outside of the glazed balcony also represents disadvantages. Structurally it is difficult to achieve since the outer wall of the balcony is made of glass. It may also be difficult to get approval in municipalities for installing the outer unit outside the balcony due to architectural considerations. Furthermore, the outer unit of a heat pump hanging outside of the balcony produces noise which might be a nuisance to the residents in the neighbouring apartments. The statutes of housing associations often prohibit the use of heat pumps due to the noise and the architectural considerations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention has for its object to remedy or to reduce at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art, or at least provide a useful alternative to prior art.

[0004] The object is achieved through features, which are specified in the description below and in the claims that follow.

[0005] The invention is defined by the independent patent claim. The dependent claims define advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0006] The invention relates to a balcony system comprising:

• a glass wall for railing;
• a support structure for securing the glass wall, wherein the glass wall is provided with an opening;
• an element for enclosing at least an inwardly exposed portion of a conventional outer unit of a heat pump, the outer unit having a front side, a back side, a top side and two edge sides, wherein the element is configured for guiding supply air past the outer unit on at least the top side and the edge sides, and into an inlet on the back side; and
• a drainage pipe for communicating condensation water from the outer unit to a drainage system.

[0007] The effects of the features of the balcony system in accordance with the invention are as follows. Firstly, the opening in the glass wall enables the integration of the outer unit of the heat pump with the glass wall. The integrated outer unit is less prominent on the facade than an outer unit hanging on a railing outside a balcony. Furthermore, the cold air produced by the outer unit will not cool down the room defined by the glazed balcony as the cold air is directed outwards from the balcony. Moving the outer unit away from the inner wall of the balcony may also reduce the risk of fire due to the increased distance between the outer unit and material that may ignite.

[0008] The element for enclosing at least an inwardly exposed portion of the outer unit of the heat pump makes the outer unit invisible from inside the balcony. This may increase the aesthetic look of the balcony. The enclosing of at least the inwardly protruding portion of the outer unit may also reduce the noise from the outer unit when it is operating. The sound from the outer unit will be directed outwards from the balcony instead of towards the inside of the balcony. The increased aesthetic and the reduced noise may result in a more pleasant environment for the residents.

[0009] The balcony system according to the invention enables the use of a conventional heat pump on a glazed balcony. The conventional outer unit of a heat pump has an inlet for supply air on the back side of the outer unit. It is therefore advantageous that supply air is readily available at the back side of the outer unit to increase the effect of the heat pump. The element is configured for guiding the surrounding air past the outer unit on at least the top side and the edge sides towards the back side of the outer unit to provide the inlet with supply air.

[0010] The distance between the top side of the outer unit and a top of the element may be between 80 mm and 120 mm, preferably between 90 mm and 110 mm, or most preferably 100 mm. The distance between the back side of the outer unit and a back of the element may be between 80 mm and 120 mm, preferably 90 mm and 110 mm, or most preferably 100 mm. The distance between an edge side of the outer unit and a side of the element may be between 40 mm and 70 mm, preferably 50 mm and 60 mm, or most preferably 55 mm.

[0011] The effect of the drainage pipe for connecting the outer unit to a drainage system is that the condensation water from the outer unit is directed away from the balcony. This may reduce the risk of water damage of the building mass of the balcony and avoid spill of water on the balcony floor.

[0012] The drainage pipe may advantageously comprise a heating element, for example a heating cable to avoid freezing of the condensation water.

[0013] The drainage system may be a drainage system integrated in the balcony structure for draining for example rain water from the balcony. The drainage system may comprise a vertical drainage pipeline integrated in the wall separating two adjacent balconies. The drainage pipe for connecting the outer unit to a drainage system may be hidden behind a cover.

[0014] Throughout the description and claims the wording "outer unit of a heat pump" must be interpreted as a part of a device that transfers thermal energy between outside of the balcony and inside the apartment to which the balcony belongs. The heat pump may be used to heat the inside of the apartment, or it may be used as an air conditioner to cool down the inside of the apartment. The heat pump may be an air source heat pump. The heat pump may be a so called air-to-air heat pump or an air-to-water heat pump. Another term for "outer unit of a heat pump" may be an "external heat exchanger", or an "outdoor unit of a heat pump". By "conventional outer unit of a heat pump" is meant an outdoor unit of a conventional heat pump that may be installed in an apartment or a house. A conventional outdoor unit of a heat pump comprises an inlet for supply air on a backside of the outdoor unit, and a fan for expelling air at a front side.

[0015] Throughout the description and claims the wording "supply air" must be interpreted as the air that will be sucked into the outer unit through the inlet of the outer unit when the heat pump is operating.

[0016] Throughout the description and claims the wording "expelled air" must be interpreted as the air that is ejected out of the front side of the outer unit through a fan while the heat pump is operating. If the heat pump is used to heat an apartment, the expelled air is cold compared to the surrounding air. If the heat pump is used to cool down an apartment, the expelled air is warm compared to the surrounding air.

[0017] The main application of the heat pump according to the invention is to heat an apartment. The following embodiments of the balcony system are advantageous when using the heat pump to heat an apartment. The expelled air is in this case colder than the surrounding air, and will flow downwards. A heat pump according to the following embodiments may likewise be used to cool down an apartment.

[0018] In a further embodiment of the balcony system, the balcony system comprises louver blades extending across the opening in the glass wall for guiding air through the opening. The advantage of the louver blades is that supply air and expelled air may be guided in a direction that may increase the effect of the heat pump. The expelled air may advantageously be directed away from where the supply air is directed through the opening, so that the expelled air is not re-sucked into the inlet in the outer unit. Separating the expelled air from the supply air increases the effect of the heat pump.

[0019] Furthermore, the louver blades may partly conceal the outer unit as seen from the outside of the balcony, making the outer unit is less prominent on the facade.

[0020] In another embodiment of the balcony system, a middle portion of the louver blades is further configured for guiding expelled air from the outer unit away from the outer unit. The middle portion of the louver blades may be in front of the outer unit where the expelled air is being ejected from a fan of the outer unit. It is advantageous that the expelled air is not re-sucked into the inlet of the outer unit as this decreases the effect of the heat pump. It is therefore advantageous to guide the expelled air away from where the supply air is passing through the opening of the glass wall.

[0021] The louver blades of the middle portion may extend horizontally and may be downwardly inclined to guide expelled air downwards. When the heat pump is used to cool down the apartment, the expelled air is colder than the surrounding air, and the expelled air will flow downwards. It is therefore advantageous to guide the expelled air downwards. The supply air is guided past the outer unit on at least the top side and the edge sides, so the supply air and the downwards-guided expelled air are less likely to mix. This reduces the chances that expelled air is re-sucked into the inlet as supply air.

[0022] In an embodiment of the balcony system according to the invention, a top portion of the louver blades comprises horizontally extending louver blades that may be upwardly inclined. The top portion may be at the top side of the opening. The top portion may advantageously be over the middle portion of the louver blades. The upwardly inclined louver blades may guide supply air from the surrounding air, downwards into the opening towards a space between the top side of the outer unit and an inner upper wall of the element. As the expelled air that is colder than the surrounding air is flowing downwards, it is advantageous to guide the supply air into the opening towards the space between the top side of the outer unit and the inner upper wall in a downwards direction. The supply air may therefore be separated from the expelled air, which increases the effect of the heat pump.

[0023] In another embodiment of the balcony system according to the invention, side parts of the louver blades comprise vertically extending louver blades that are inclined in a sideways direction, away from the louver blades of the middle part. The side portion of the louver blades may be in front of a space defined by an edge side of the outer unit and an inner side wall of the element. The middle portion of the louver blades may advantageously be between two side parts of the louver blades. The inclined louver blades may guide supply air from the surrounding air, in a direction from the outer edges of the opening to a space between an edge side of the outer unit and an inner side wall of the element. As the expelled air that is colder than the surrounding air is flowing downwards, it is advantageous to guide the supply air into the opening in a sideways inclined direction, so that air is sucked substantially from side-portions of the outer unit and not the middle part. The supply air may therefore be separated from the expelled air, which increases the effect of the heat pump.

[0024] The balcony system may further comprise a collar connected to the outer unit for guiding expelled air away from the outer unit. The collar may be arranged between the fan and any louver bladed of the middle part, and be cylindrical in shape, the radius of the collar may be the same as the radius of the fan of the outer unit. The collar may be conical in shape, the largest radius of the collar may be the same as the radius of the fan of the outer unit, and the radius may decrease in a direction from the outer unit. The collar may direct the expelled air further away from supply air that is passing the outer unit on at least the top side and the edge sides. This may help separating the expelled air and the supply air, which increases the effect of the heat pump.

[0025] The balcony system may, in an embodiment, further comprise a cover extending across a part of the opening in the glass wall for reducing supply air though the opening at a bottom side of the outer unit. As expelled air from the fan of the outer unit that is colder than the surrounding air flows downwards, it may be advantageous to reduce the flow of supply air through the opening under the fan. Less expelled air may therefore be re-sucked through the opening at the bottom side of the outer unit. This may increase the effect of the heat pump.

[0026] In another embodiment of the balcony system according to the invention, a first portion of the outer unit protrudes outwardly from the glass wall, and a second portion of the outer unit protrudes inwardly from the glass wall.

[0027] The first portion of the outer unit may protrude outwardly from the glass wall by for example 10 cm, so that only a small portion of the outer unit is visible from the outside of the balcony. The first portion of the outer unit may protrude outwardly from the glass wall by more than 10 cm or less than 10 cm. The first portion may comprise the fan so that the fan is facing the open air outside the balcony. The advantage of the first portion of the outer unit protruding from the glass wall is that expelled air from the fan is directed further away from where the supply air is sucked through the opening towards the inlet on the back side of the outer unit. This may reduce the chance of expelled air re-entering the inlet, which may therefore increase the effect of the heat pump.

[0028] The effect of the second portion of the outer unit protruding inwardly from the glass wall is that the outer unit is less prominent on the facade. The second portion may be supported by a base, for example the balcony floor, which may be more stable than hanging the outer portion of a heat pump from a structure, for example a wall. In addition, the noise from the outer unit when operating may be less disturbing for neighbours as the second portion is protruding inwardly from the glass wall, compared to the noise from an outer unit hanging outside a balcony.

[0029] In a further embodiment of the balcony system according to the invention, the element for enclosing at least the inwardly exposed portion of the heat pump comprises a fire proof material. This may reduce the risk of fire as a potential fire in the outer unit may not spread to the inside of the balcony.

[0030] In a further embodiment of the balcony system according to the invention, the element for enclosing at least the inwardly exposed portion of the heat pump comprises a noise insulating material. This may reduce the noise from the outer unit when it is operating.

[0031] The balcony system may further comprise a dampening device for dampening vibrations from the outer unit of the heat pump when the outer unit of the heat pump is operating. Dampening the vibrations may further reduce noise from the outer unit when it is operating.

[0032] In a further embodiment of the balcony system according to the invention, the balcony system comprises a profile for housing the drainage pipe. The drainage pipe may in this manner be integrated in the support structure for the glass wall. This may increase the aesthetic look of the balcony. The outdoor unit may therefore be placed anywhere along the glass wall, and the drainage pipe is remained hidden in the profile.

[0033] The balcony system may comprise a drainage plate for collecting condensation water from the outer unit. This may reduce the risk of water damage of the building mass of the balcony and avoid spill of water on the balcony floor.

[0034] In a further embodiment of the balcony system according to the invention, a height of the element for enclosing at least the inwardly exposed portion of the outer unit is equal to a height of a railing of the balcony system. It is advantageous that the height of the element is equal or higher than the balcony railing due to safety. If the height of the element is lower than the balcony railing, there may be a safety risk in that people may climb on top of the element and potentially fall over the railing.

[0035] In a further embodiment of the balcony system according to the invention, an inwardly exposed portion of the element comprises a smooth surface. The smooth surface may make it difficult for people to climb onto the element and thus reduce a risk of falling over the railing of the balcony. The smooth surface may comprise a metal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] In the following is described examples of preferred embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1

shows a first embodiment of balcony system according to the invention viewed from the outside of the balcony;

Fig. 2

shows the cross section along H-H of the balcony system in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3

shows in a larger scale the section F of the balcony system in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4

shows the cross section along G-G of the balcony system in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5

shows a second embodiment balcony system in perspective, wherein some parts have been cut away;

Fig. 6

shows the balcony system of Fig. 5 from the side;

Fig. 7

shows the balcony system of Fig. 5 from above; and

Fig. 8

shows another embodiment of the balcony system shown in fig. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0037] Any positional indications refer to the position shown in the figures. Through the description and the claims, position indications such as "upper" and "lower", "top" and "bottom", or "horizontal" and "vertical", etc., denotes the position the parts of the system have in the subsequent figures, which is also a natural or practical functional position of the parts.

[0038] In the figures, same or corresponding elements are indicated by same reference numerals. For clarity reasons, some elements may in some of the figures be without reference numerals.

[0039] A person skilled in the art will understand that the figures are just principal drawings. The relative proportions of individual elements may also be distorted.

[0040] In the figures, reference number 1 denotes a balcony system and reference number 15 denotes a balcony. In the embodiments shown, the balcony system 1 comprises a glass wall 20 comprising glass panels 25 defining an outer portion of the balcony 15. The glass wall 20 comprises a railing 27 and slidable glass panels arranged on top of the railing. A support structure 21 secures the glass wall 20. The railing of the glass wall 20 is provided with an opening 22. The balcony system 1 further comprises an element 40 for enclosing at least an inwardly exposed portion of a conventional outer unit 31 of a heat pump. The outer unit has a front side 311, a back side 312, a top side 313 and two edge sides 314, wherein the element 40 is configured for guiding supply air past the outer unit 31 on at least the top side 313 and the edge sides 314, and into an inlet 33 on the back side 312. Furthermore, the balcony system 1 comprises a drainage pipe 50 for communicating condensed water from the outer unit 31 to a drainage system 55 of the balcony 15.

[0041] The support structure 21 for securing the glass wall 20 is known in the technical field, and will therefore not be discussed further.

[0042] In the embodiments shown, the glass wall 20 comprises glass panels 25 have different dimensions. As mentioned above, the glass wall 20 comprises two rows of glass panels 25, wherein the lower row provides as a railing 27. The higher row of glass panels 25 comprises glass panels 25 that may be opened by sliding the glass panels 25. The opening 22 for installing an outer unit of a heat pump in the glass wall 20 is typically provided in the lower row of glass panels 25, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 5.

[0043] Fig. 2 and Fig. 5 show apartments 19 with a balcony system 1 installed. In each apartment 19 a wall 18 separates the inside of the apartments 19 and the respective glazed balcony 15. The wall 18 comprises in these examples a window 17. In these examples, the balcony system 1 comprises a heat pump, which comprises an outer unit 31 integrated in the glass wall 20 of the balcony system, and an inner unit 39 installed inside of the apartment 19.

[0044] The outer unit 31 and the inner unit 39 are connected together with one or more refrigerant pipes 35-1. The heat pump is used to transfer thermal energy between outside of the balcony 15 and inside the apartment 19. The heat pump may be used to heat the inside of the apartment 19 or it may be used as an air conditioner to cool down the inside of the apartment 19.

[0045] The glass wall 20 is provided with an opening 22 adapted to a perimeter of the element 40 for enclosing at least the inwardly exposed portion of the conventional outer unit 31 of a heat pump. The inner volume of the element 40 is larger than the volume of the inwardly exposed portion of the outer unit 31. In the example shown in Fig. 5, the element 40 encloses the outer unit 31. In this example the inner volume of the element 40 is larger than the volume of the outer unit 31.

[0046] The element 40 is enclosing at least the inwardly exposed portion of the conventional outer unit 31, such that there are spaces between the inner walls of the element 40 and sides of the outer unit 31. Firstly, there is a space between the top side 313 of the outer unit 31 and the inner upper wall 40-t of the element 40, so that supply air may pass the outer unit 31 at the top side 313. Secondly, there are spaces between the left and right edge sides 314 and the left and right inner side walls 40-s of the element 40, so that supply air may pass the outer unit 31 at the edge sides 314. There is also a space between the back side 312 and the inner back wall 40-b of the element 40. An inlet 33 for the supply air is positioned on the back side 312 of the conventional outer unit 31. The supply air is sucked into the inlet 33 from the space between the inner back wall 40-b and said back side 312. The space between the bottom side 315 of the outer unit 31 and the support of the outer unit 31, for example the bottom of the balcony floor, is preferably narrow to reduce airflow through this space.

[0047] In the example shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 4, a first portion 31-1 of the outer unit 31 protrudes outwardly from the glass wall 20, as best seen in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4. The first portion 31-1 comprises the fan 32 on the front side 311 (see Fig. 3), which is oriented outwardly from the glass wall 20. The expelled air from the fan 32 is directed away from where the supply air is sucked through the opening 22, on the top side 313 and the edge sides 314.

[0048] The first portion 31-1 may protrude approximately 10 cm from the glass wall 20, as this may increase the available volume of supply air to pass the outer unit 31 and into the inlet 33 on the back side 312.

[0049] The second portion 31-2 of the outer unit 31 protrudes inwardly from the glass wall 20, as best seen in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4. The inwardly exposed portion of the second portion 31-2 is enclosed by the element 40. In the example shown in Fig. 1 and Fig 3, the element 40 is positioned adjacent to the balcony side wall 16 separating the balcony 15 and the neighbouring balcony. The element 40 encloses the back side 312 of the outer unit 31, that is the side facing towards the inside of the balcony 15, and the inwardly exposed edge side opposite the balcony side wall 16. The element 40 also encloses the inwardly exposed top side 313 of the outer unit 31. In another example, the element 40 may enclose the two opposite edge sides of the outer unit 31, in addition to the back side 312 and the top side 313 of the outer unit 31. This may be advantageous if for example the outer unit 31 is positioned with a distance from the balcony side wall 16.

[0050] In the example shown in Fig. 5 to Fig. 7, the element 40 is enclosing the whole outer unit 31, apart from the front side, and louver blades 60 are horizontally extending across the opening 22, substantially in the same plane as the glass wall 20. The louver blades 60 are downwardly inclined, so that an inner portion of each horizontally extending louver blade 60 is at a higher elevation than an outer portion of each respective louver blade 60. The expelled air from the fan 32 is guided downwards, away from the space between the top side 313 and the inner upper wall 40-t of the element 40.

[0051] The angle of the louver blades 60 may be adjustable. The louver blades 60 may be adjusted to an upwardly inclined position, or a horizontal position.

[0052] Another example of a balcony system 1 is shown in Fig. 8. The louver blades 60 are horizontally extending across the opening 22, substantially in the same plane as the glass wall 20. The louver blades 60 are divided into two portions; a middle portion 60-m and a top portion 60-t. The louver blades 60 of the top portion 60-t are positioned in front of a space between the top side 313 of the outer unit 31 and the inner upper wall 40-t of the element 40. The louver blades 60 are upwardly inclined so that an inner portion of each horizontally extending louver blade 60 is at a lower elevation than an outer portion of each respective louver blade 60. The louver blades 60 of the top portion 60-t, guides supply air towards the space in a downwards direction, so that supply air may pass the outer unit 31 in this space.

[0053] The louver blades 60 of the middle portion 60-m are positioned in front of the fan 32 of the outer unit 31. They are downwardly inclined to direct the expelled air from the fan 32 in a downwards direction, away from the top portion 60-t of the louver blades 60. This helps separating the supply air from the expelled air.

[0054] In the examples shown in Fig. 5 to Fig 8, there are eight louver blades 60 extending across the opening 22. In other examples, fewer or more louver blades 60 may extend across the opening 22. In Fig. 8, the top portion 60-t comprises two louver blades 60, but in other examples the top portion 60-t may comprise more or fewer louver blades 60. In Fig. 8, the middle portion 60-m comprises six louver blades 60, but in other examples the middle portion 60-t may comprise more or fewer louver blades 60.

[0055] The louver blades 60 may extend across the opening 20 in a vertical direction. The louver blades 60 may comprise a combination of horizontally extending louver blades 60 and vertically extending louver blades 60. The louver blades 60 may for example be divided into four portions; a middle portion comprising horizontally extending louver blades 60 that are downwardly inclined, a top portion comprising horizontally extending louver blades 60 that are upwardly inclined and two side parts that are inclined in a sideways direction. By inclined in a sideways direction is meant that an inner portion of each vertically extending louver blade 60 is closer to the fan 32 than an outer portion of each respective louver blade 60. For example; a side portion (not shown) of the louver blades 60 may be at the left side of the opening 22, in front of a space between the left edge side 314 of the outer unit 31 and the left inner side wall 40-s of the element 40. The louver blades 60 of the left side portion may in this case be inclined so that supply air is guided into the space in a rightwards direction. This reduces the chance of the expelled air from the fan 32 of the outer unit 31 re-entering the inlet 33 through the space. Another side portion (not shown) of the louver blades 60 may be at the right side of the opening 22, guiding the supply air in a leftwards direction into a space between the right edge side 314 of the outer unit 31 and the right inner side wall 40-s of the element 40.

[0056] An angle between a louver blade 60 and the glass wall 20 may for example be 45 degrees.

[0057] The balcony systems 1 shown in Fig. 5 to Fig. 8 comprise a collar 63 connected to the outer unit 31 for guiding expelled air away from the outer unit 31. The collar 63 may help separate the expelled air and the supply air. The collar 63 is in this example rectangular, but it may have any other shape such as a cylinder or a cone.

[0058] The balcony systems 1 shown in Fig. 5 to Fig. 8 comprise a drainage plate 53 positioned underneath the outer unit 31 to collect condensation water from the outer unit 31. The drainage plate 53 is in communication with the drainage pipe 50. A condensation pipe 35-2 is configured for communicating condensation water from the inner unit 39 to a second drainage plate 54, which is in communication with the drainage system 55.

[0059] In some examples, the element 40 for enclosing the inwardly exposed portion of the outer unit 31 comprises a fire proof material. In some examples, the element 40 for enclosing the inwardly exposed portion of the outer unit 31 comprises a noise insulating material for reducing the noise from the outer unit 31 while the outer unit 31 is operating. The element 40 may for example comprise steel plates with an isolation material provided between the steel plates. The isolation material may be mineral wool. The isolation material may be any other suitable material known to the person skilled in the art.

[0060] A height h-1 of the element 40 may in some examples (not shown) be the same as the height h-2 of the railings 27. This is advantageous due to safety reasons. The same height h-1, h-2 of the element 40 and the railings 27 may prevent people from climbing onto the element 40 and may therefore prevent people from falling over the railings 27. The height h-1 of the element 40 may preferably be minimum 80 cm due to safety regulations. The height h-2 of the railings 27 may be higher than the height h-1 of the element 40.

[0061] In some examples, the inwardly exposed side of the element 40, that is the side seen from inside of the balcony 15, comprises a smooth surface 43. The smooth surface 43 may make it more difficult for people to climb onto the element 40. A smooth surface 43 may therefore increase the safety of the balcony system 1. The smooth surface may comprise metal or other low friction materials.

[0062] In the example shown in Fig. 3, the outer unit 31 is supported by a dampening device 45, for dampening vibrations from the outer unit 31 when the outer unit 31 is operating to reduce noise from the outer unit 31. The dampening device 45 may comprise rubber such as hard rubber or other type of vibration dampening material. The dampening device 45 may comprise a spring.

[0063] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb "comprise" and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article "a" or "an" preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements.

[0064] The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

1. A balcony system (1) comprising:

- a glass wall (20) for railing;

- a support structure (21) for securing the glass wall (20), wherein the glass wall (20) is provided with an opening (22);

- an element (40) for enclosing at least an inwardly exposed portion of a conventional outer unit (31) of a heat pump, the outer unit (31) having a front side (311), a back side (312), a top side (313) and two edge sides (314), wherein the element (40) is configured for guiding supply air past the outer unit (31) on at least the top side (313) and the edge sides (314), and into an inlet (33) on the back side (312); and

- a drainage pipe (50) for connecting the outer unit (31) to a drainage system (55).

2. The balcony system (1) according to claim 1, further comprising louver blades (60) extending across at least a portion of the opening (22) in the glass wall (20) for guiding air through the opening (22).

3. The balcony system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a middle portion (60-m) of the louver blades (60) is further configured for guiding expelled air from the outer unit (31) away from the outer unit (31).

4. The balcony system (1) according to claim 3, wherein the louver blades (60) of the middle portion (60-m) extend horizontally and are downwardly inclined to guide expelled air downwards.

5. The balcony system (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein a top portion (60-t) of the louver blades (60) comprises horizontally extending louver blades (60) that are upwardly inclined.

6. The balcony system (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein a side portion of the louver blades (60) comprise vertically extending louver blades (60) that are inclined in a sideways direction.

7. The balcony system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a collar (63) connected to the outer unit (31) for guiding expelled air away from the outer unit (31).

8. The balcony system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a cover extending across a part of the opening (22) in the glass wall for reducing supply air through a bottom portion of the opening (22).

9. The balcony system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a first portion (31-1) of the outer unit (31) protrudes outwardly from the glass wall (20), and a second portion (31-2) of the outer unit protrudes inwardly from the glass wall (20).

10. The balcony system (1) according to claim any one of the preceding claims,
wherein the element (40) comprises a fire proof material.

11. The balcony system (1) according to claim any one of the preceding claims,
wherein the element (40) comprises a noise insulating material.

12. The balcony system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the balcony system (1) comprises a dampening device (45) for dampening vibrations from the outer unit (31) of the heat pump when the outer unit (31) is operating.

13. The balcony system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the balcony system (1) comprises a profile for housing the drainage pipe (50).

14. The balcony system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the balcony system (1) comprises a drainage plate (53) for collecting condensation water from the outer unit (31).

15. The balcony system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a height (h) of the element (40) is equal to a height of a railing (27) of the balcony system (1).

16. The balcony system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein an inwardly exposed portion of the element (40) comprises a smooth surface (43).

Drawing