Mixing system for room heating and / or domestic water production and related management method

Abstract

The object of the invention is a mixing system (1) comprising at least a boiler (2) and a heat pump (3) through which technical fluids for room heating and / or for domestic water production circulate, and an associated method for managing and controlling the switching cycle (ON / OFF) of said heat pump (3) during domestic hot water (DHW) intake. The method comprises at least the following steps: during said domestic hot water (DHW) water intake, ensuring flow to the heat pump (3) at a flow rate mchHP at least adapted to avoid closing thereof, and ensuring a complete achievement of this DHW water intake.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The object of the present invention is a hybrid system defined by a combination of a boiler and a heat pump for room heating and / or domestic hot water production, and a related management method.

[0002] More precisely, the object of the present invention is an efficient hybrid "boiler - heat pump" system and a related management method, which is suitable for significantly reducing the number of shutdown and restart cycles (ON / OFF cycles) of the heat pump caused by the extraction of domestic water produced by the boiler.

[0003] Another object of the present invention is a verification procedure for ensuring that the extraction of domestic water requested by the user is fully available and achievable even when the heat pump of the hybrid "boiler - heat pump" system is turned on.

[0004] The present invention preferably belongs to the field of "hybrid systems" for room heating and / or domestic hot water production, particularly systems including a gas boiler and a heat pump. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Currently, known heating systems simultaneously use at least two different heat generators, typically a heat pump and a gas boiler.

[0006] In addition to being used for room heating, such systems can also be arranged to produce domestic hot water, in which case the boiler is of the "combination" type.

[0007] Therefore, in such systems (hereinafter referred to as "hybrid systems"), a hydraulic connection should be established between the generators, and appropriate shared control logic allows for the management of their startup and shutdown, adjustment of the operating temperature and heating time, checking of correct functionality, and / or reporting of their faults, all of which are aimed at achieving a high efficiency level. Examples of hybrid systems are shown in the prior art documents EP 2 700 883 B1 and / or EP 2 463 591 A1 and / or IT 10202100010979.

[0008] The boiler and the heat pump of the hybrid system are usually hydraulically connected in one of two alternative ways: in series or in parallel.

[0009] In a hybrid system with a series connection, the technical fluid (e.g., water) intended to supply energy to the heating elements (radiators, radiant panels, etc.) for room heating is first heated in the heat pump and then in the boiler.

[0010] More precisely, the refrigeration circuit of the heat pump (in which the refrigeration fluid circulates) (e.g., air-water type) absorbs heat from the ambient air and transfers it to the process fluid. As a result, the preheated process fluid reaches the boiler, where its heating is completed by the heat of the combustion products generated by the built-in burner.

[0011] When a boiler of the system is also provided for domestic hot water production (hereinafter referred to as "combination boiler"), the ON / OFF type three-way valve can switch the boiler from the "room heating mode" to the "domestic mode" as required. For example, in the case of domestic hot water withdrawal, the three-way valve switches the boiler to the domestic mode, thus interrupting the room heating that may be in progress.

[0012] Such a hybrid system can share the same pump to achieve the circulation of the process fluid in both the boiler and the heat pump.

[0013] Generally, the series connection between the heat pump and the boiler, as well as the presence of a single shared circulation pump, represents a design and installation option that allows minimizing the number of components in the hybrid system while ensuring acceptable efficiency and throughput.

[0014] However, such a solution has not been widely applied in current hybrid systems because, in order to meet the heating requirements of a building (e.g., an apartment or a normal room / environment), the flow rates of the process fluid required by the two heat generators may be very different from each other, and a single circulation pump may not be able to guarantee correct performance.

[0015] In addition, in the case where the heat pump of the hybrid system itself can meet the said heating requirements, and thus its integration with the boiler will not be required, the process fluid to be heated will always flow within the same boiler, especially through the exchanger of its main circuit; this may result in undesirable losses and heat dissipation, thus significantly reducing the overall efficiency of the hybrid system.

[0016] In the case of applying a heat pump with a combination boiler, as expected, when the user withdraws domestic water, the three-way valve will switch from the main circuit to the domestic circuit, so that the process fluid passes through the relevant auxiliary exchanger (usually a plate exchanger).

[0017] In such cases, since the said three-way valve is usually of the ON / OFF type, the flow rate of the process fluid intended to circulate in the main circuit for room heating is eliminated.

[0018] Typically, this will require shutting down the heat pump of the hybrid system to avoid undesired overheating due to the lack of circulation of the technical fluid. In fact, since the domestic hot water intake may be intermittent, repeated several times within a short time period, and with a small intake volume, the shutting down and subsequent restarting of the heat pump (hereinafter referred to as "ON / OFF cycle") will be very close to each other and occur too frequently. This may lead to inefficient operation of the hybrid system and expose it to a higher risk of damage and failure, especially affecting the heat pump components. For example, this problem appears in the hybrid system described in document EP 3 252 383 A1, which includes at least one heat pump and a boiler.

[0019] This problem becomes more relevant when the heat pump is selected from the type with low power (e.g., 2 - 7 kW) to create a more compact and miniaturized hybrid system, because its operation will always require integration with the boiler. Summary of the Invention

[0020] The object of the present invention is to avoid such drawbacks by providing an innovative hybrid system for room heating and / or efficient domestic hot water production, which at least includes a boiler and a heat pump that are hydraulically integrated with each other and electronically docked.

[0021] More precisely, the object of the present invention, at least for some of its implementation variants, is to provide a device suitable for reducing the number of ON / OFF cycles of the heat pump caused by the domestic hot water intake by the user U for a hybrid system for room heating and / or domestic hot water production, which at least includes a boiler and a heat pump.

[0022] Another object of the present invention, at least for some of its implementation variants, is to provide one or more management methods for controlling and optimizing the ON / OFF cycle of the heat pump for a hybrid system for room heating and / or domestic hot water production, which at least includes a boiler and a heat pump.

[0023] Another object of the present invention, at least for some of its implementation variants, is to provide the possibility of ensuring room heating even during domestic hot water intake for a hybrid system for room heating and / or domestic hot water production, which at least includes a boiler and a heat pump.

[0024] Another object of the present invention, at least for some of its implementation variants, is to provide at least one procedure for verifying the full provision and realization of domestic hot water intake for at least one of the boiler and the heat pump in a hybrid system for room heating and / or domestic hot water production, which at least includes a boiler and a heat pump, even when the heat pump is turned on.

[0025] These and other purposes, which will be clearly presented hereinafter, are achieved according to the provisions of the independent claims by a hybrid system defined by a combination of a gas boiler and a heat pump for room heating and / or domestic hot water production, as well as the related management and control methods.

[0026] Other purposes can also be achieved by means of the additional features of the dependent claims. Description of the Drawings

[0027] The further features of the present invention should be better emphasized in the following description of the preferred embodiments, which are shown by way of non-limiting examples only in the drawings table according to the patent claims, wherein:

[0028] - Figure 1 Schematically shows a hybrid system including at least a boiler and a heat pump according to a first embodiment of the present invention; - Figure 2 Schematically shows a hybrid system including at least a boiler and a heat pump according to a second embodiment of the present invention; - Figure 3a and Figure 3b Respectively show block diagrams related to different management and control methods of the hybrid system of Figure 1 and / or Figure 2

[0029] Now, using the markings included in the drawings, the features of one or more preferred variants of the hybrid system for room heating and / or domestic hot water production and the related management and control methods are described. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0030] Figure 1 and / or Figure 2 Shows a hybrid system 1 for room heating and / or domestic hot water production according to the present invention, including a boiler 2 and a heat pump 3.

[0031] Without any limitation, the gas boiler 2 may include, for example, a condensing gas boiler, and the heat pump 3 may include an integrated air-water heat pump for outdoor installation.

[0032] By way of example and without any limitation, in Figure 1 and / or Figure 2 attached to the description of the present invention, a "instantaneous" condensing boiler 2 is shown, although for those skilled in the art, as long as a little modification is made within the reach, the content can be extended to other known types of condensing boilers, such as integrated or external "heat storage" boilers.

[0033] In addition, the content to be described below can also be extended to any other type of boiler, such as a "conventional" type of boiler (i.e., a boiler with an atmospheric burner), or any other type of heat pump, which can be, for example, a water-water type of heat pump.

[0034] Since the boiler 2 and the heat pump 3 are heat generators well-known to those skilled in the art, a brief overview of them will suffice here, and only the components relevant to the object of the present invention are listed.

[0035] In particular, the main circuit 200 and the secondary circuit 201 in which the technical fluid (e.g., "technical water") circulates in the instantaneous boiler 2 are schematically shown. The main circuit 200 and the secondary circuit 201 respectively include a main heat exchanger 20 (hereinafter referred to as the "main exchanger 20") for heating the technical fluid, and a secondary heat exchanger 21 (hereinafter referred to as the "secondary exchanger 21" or the "sanitary exchanger 21"), wherein the technical fluid is in a heat exchange relationship with the domestic water to be heated and sent to the user U.

[0036] After being mixed with the combustion air regulated by a fan (not shown), a gas valve (not shown in the figure) regulates the gas flow rate flowing through the gas supply pipe 22 to a burner (also not shown), and the burner is placed in a combustion chamber accommodating the main exchanger 20.

[0037] The main circuit 200 further includes:

[0038] - A return pipe 23 (also referred to as "return 23" for simplicity), which guides the technical fluid from the heating element 50 of the heating system 5 to the main exchanger 20 through an appropriate pipe 51, where the fluid will be subjected to the hot combustion flue gas generated by the above-mentioned burner;

[0039] - The above-mentioned main exchanger 20, which may include, without limitation, a coil exchanger;

[0040] - A circulation pump 25 preferably located on the return pipe 23;

[0041] - A feed pipe 24 of the technical fluid (hereinafter referred to as "delivery pipe 24" or simply "delivery 24"), which is connected to the main exchanger 20 and allows the appropriately heated technical fluid to reach the heating element 50 of the heating system 5 via a special pipe 52.

[0042] The path of the technical fluid just described is more clearly indicated by an arrow F1 in Figure 1 and / or Figure 2 which shows the operation of the boiler 2 in the "room heating" operating mode, hereinafter referred to as the "CH mode".

[0043] The main circuit 200 further includes an inlet pipe 26, which branches off from its delivery 24 and enables the technical fluid to flow to the secondary exchanger 21 and then flow out through an outlet pipe 27, and the outlet pipe 27 is connected to the return 23 of the same main circuit 200.

[0044] When the technical fluid is diverted through the mentioned inlet pipe 26 and outlet pipe 27 and forced to flow through the domestic exchanger 21 of the secondary circuit 201, the boiler 2 operates in the "domestic hot water heating" mode (hereinafter referred to as "DHW mode"), as Figure 1 and / or Figure 2 indicated by the arrow F2 in

[0045] The secondary circuit 201 at least includes:

[0046] - A cold water feed pipe 28 (mainly tap water at the temperature of the water pipe), which is connected to the inlet of the secondary exchanger 21 and is heated here before being conveyed to the user U;

[0047] - The above-mentioned secondary exchanger 21, which is a plate heat exchanger known in the examples of Figure 3a and 3b ;

[0048] - A conveying pipe 29 for the heated water in the secondary exchanger 21, which is connected to the user U.

[0049] As already partly anticipated, when the condensing boiler 2 is of the heat storage type (variant not shown), the secondary exchanger 21 may alternatively include a coil heat exchanger inserted into the water tank in a known manner, wherein the coil heat exchanger is in a heat exchange relationship with the domestic hot water stored therein and is appropriately connected thereto via an appropriate part and / or diversion of the secondary circuit.

[0050] Naturally, without prejudice to other possible installation configurations, the condensing boiler 2 may include the plate heat exchanger 21 and the coil heat exchanger with possible associated heat storage.

[0051] The reference numeral 4 alternatively indicates a switching device for the mixing system 1, in particular for its boiler 2, for switching from the "CH operating mode" to the "DHW operating mode" (or vice versa).

[0052] In the DHW mode, the switching device 4 shared by the main circuit 200 and the secondary circuit 201 of the boiler 2 guides the technical fluid from the main circuit 200 to the secondary exchanger 21.

[0053] Conversely, when in the CH mode, the same switching device 4 guides the technical fluid from the main circuit 200 to the heating element 50 of the heating system 5, bypassing the secondary exchanger 21.

[0054] According to a first implementation embodiment of the present invention (as Figure 1 shown), the switching device 4 may include a motorized diversion valve, for example, a three-way valve 40, the position of which, i.e., the closing / opening of one of its two inputs, determines the operation of the boiler 2 according to the DHW or CH mode.

[0055] Different from the ON / OFF solutions in the prior art, the three-way valve 40 includes, for example, a modulating valve 40.

[0056] Figure 2 Alternatively, a replacement embodiment of the switching device 4 is shown, which includes a motorized three-way valve 40' of the ON / OFF type, which cooperates with a bypass pipe 41 equipped with at least one electronically adjustable valve 42 (also preferably motorized).

[0057] As Figure 2 Clearly shown, the bypass pipe 41 is preferably parallel to the return pipe 23 of the boiler 2, and the ON / OFF type three-way valve 40' is located on this return pipe.

[0058] More precisely, the inlet branch 43 and the outlet branch 44' of the bypass pipe 41, which are respectively connected to the return pipe 23 upstream and downstream of the three-way valve 40', are identified (referring to the water flow represented by the arrow F1 provided by the circulation pump 25).

[0059] Such switching devices 4 will be widely mentioned in the description of the present invention; it can be foreseen here that Figure 1 or Figure 2 both variants are arranged to ensure that, under certain conditions, water is fed into the heat pump 3 of the mixing system 1 at least at a minimum flow rate m minHP even when the boiler 2 is operating in the DHW mode (i.e., as should be seen, during the domestic hot water DHW extraction carried out by the user U, it is fully realized).

[0060] The heat pump 3 (preferably adapted for room heating) in the mixing system 1 of the present invention includes a refrigeration circuit 30 ( Figures 1 - 2 only partially shown therein), in which a refrigeration fluid (usually a refrigerant gas) circulates to be suitable for heat exchange with the technical fluid from the heating system 5.

[0061] As is known, the refrigeration circuit 30 may at least include:

[0062] - A compressor for compressing and increasing the temperature of the refrigeration fluid,

[0063] - A first heat exchanger operating as an evaporator, in which the refrigeration fluid evaporates by changing from the liquid phase to the gas phase and absorbing heat from an external source (in the case of an air-water heat pump, as can be seen, from the ambient air), - A second heat exchanger 31, usually operating as a condenser (for example, when the heat pump is operating in the "heating" mode),

[0064] in which the refrigeration fluid condenses by changing from the gas phase to the liquid phase, and in which the above-mentioned heat exchange with the technical fluid returning from the heating system 5 occurs,

[0065] - A lamination valve, as is known, determines the pressure drop required to maintain the pressure of the refrigerating fluid at the desired value in the condenser and the evaporator.

[0066] Generally speaking, in the hybrid system 1 connected in series with a relative heat generator, the condenser 31 of the heat pump 3 is preferably connected in series and located upstream of the main exchanger 20 of the boiler 2 (in the flow direction indicated by the arrow F1), so as to be able to exchange heat with a technical fluid at as low a temperature as possible, thus facilitating the heat exchange with the refrigerating fluid.

[0067] The control unit (not shown in the figure, hereinafter abbreviated as "control unit") of the hybrid system 1 of the present invention is capable of managing the operation and functional modes of the boiler 2 and / or the corresponding heat pump 3, and it can communicate bidirectionally with the boiler 2 and / or the corresponding heat pump 3 according to the most suitable technology (for example, via wired and / or wireless connections (such as wireless connections of radio types such as WLAN and ZigBee, Bluetooth protocol, WiFi, etc.)).

[0068] Without any limitation, the control unit can be integrated into the boiler 2, or alternatively integrated into the heat pump 3.

[0069] However, for the purposes of the present invention, it is not precluded from providing dedicated control units on both generators of the hybrid system 1, as long as they cooperate with each other and are properly docked, just as all or part of the functions that can be implemented by the control unit can be managed by an additional control unit, or executed by a device external to the hybrid system 1.

[0070] For the sake of simplicity in description, the following description of the present invention will assume that all functions and processing capabilities reside in the control unit of the hybrid system 1 (for example, in the boiler 2).

[0071] In addition, the "control unit" should also refer to the entire set of data processing elements required to implement the method for managing and controlling the hybrid system 1 in the present invention, and these elements can be unified or distributed in multiple subsets. This method is especially used to control and optimize the ON / OFF cycle of the corresponding heat pump 3, so as to ensure the full realization of the domestic water intake carried out by the user U, which will be further described later.

[0072] Therefore, such a control unit is advantageously provided and / or cooperates with the following:

[0073] - Devices for acquiring and / or receiving input data for the operation of the hybrid system 1 and / or for implementing its management and control method,

[0074] - Devices for calculating and processing the input data, which are adapted to provide output data and / or information, - memory devices for at least temporarily storing the input and / or output data

[0075] - means for transmitting said output data and / or information to a display and / or a notification interface, said interface possibly including known HMI interfaces integrated in the hybrid system and / or in the aforementioned possible devices external to the same hybrid system.

[0076] More precisely, the control unit is adapted to cooperate with the switching device 4 of at least the hybrid system 1 and with at least one or more temperature sensors suitably positioned therein (which will be listed later).

[0077] When provided by one or more implementation embodiments of the present invention, the control unit may also cooperate with a specific flow sensor of the technical fluid circulating in the hybrid system 1 and / or of the domestic hot water requested by the user U.

[0078] As already partially anticipated, according to the present invention, when the boiler 2 of the hybrid system 1 operates in DHW mode, or when the user U is taking domestic hot water (hereinafter simply referred to as "DHW take"), it is always ensured that the technical fluid flows through the heat pump 3 with a flow rate m chHP i.e., along the heating system 5, said flow rate m chHP is preferably at least the "minimum" flow rate m minHP , which flow rate is adapted to:

[0079] - avoid the shutdown of the heat pump 3, thus reducing the number of its on / off cycles, and / or - ensure the continuity of operation of the heating system 5 even during one or more domestic hot water DHW takes, although relying only on the contribution of the heat pump 3.

[0080] Furthermore, according to a possible variant of the present invention (one of the preferred variants), under these conditions, it is desirable that specific operating conditions of the hybrid system 1 be verified, which conditions will be mentioned hereinafter.

[0081] In particular, it is preferably desirable to verify that the domestic hot water DHW take can be fully achieved without the full power of the boiler 2 over a long period of time ("comfort verification DHW"); in other words, it is desirable to determine that even when the heat pump 3 is on and its flow rate is the minimum flow rate m minHP , said take can be fully provided and achieved, thus avoiding any discomfort or inconvenience to the user.

[0082] For this purpose, it is necessary to know one or more operating parameters of the hybrid system 1, more precisely, the operating parameters of its boiler 2 and / or heat pump 3, for example, at least one of the following operating quantities, preferably two or more:

[0083] - the total flow rate m totWHB of the technical fluid in the boiler 2, for example, the total flow rate of the technical fluid circulating through its main exchanger 20, and / or

[0084] - The flow rate m of each domestic hot water (DHW) water intake performed by user U DHW , and / or

[0085] - The flow rate m of the technical fluid circulating in the heat pump 3 chHP , for example, the flow rate of the technical fluid returning from the heating system 5

[0086] and / or

[0087] - In the case of DHW water intake and guiding it to user U, the temperature T of the domestic hot water at the outlet of the boiler 2 DHW , and / or - the return temperature T of the technical fluid through the heat pump 3 in the boiler 2 retWHB , and / or

[0088] - The delivery temperature T of the boiler 2 flowWHB (i.e., the temperature of the technical fluid for room heating), and / or - the return temperature T of the technical fluid entering the heat pump 3 after circulating in the room heating system 5 retHP .

[0089] The temperature and / or flow rate values can:

[0090] - Be directly monitored and detected by means of specific sensors, for example, respectively by means of a temperature sensor or a flow meter (or a similar /

[0091] equivalent flow sensor). The hybrid system 1 of the present invention is usually equipped with these sensors or can be appropriately implemented when necessary

[0092] and / or, at least some of them

[0093] - Be indirectly calculated by the control unit of the hybrid system 1; specifically and particularly with reference to the flow rate values in the boiler 2 and / or preferably the heat pump 3, from which these flow rate values can be processed and derived based on other physical and / or operating quantity characteristics of the hybrid system 1 (for example, but not limited to, as a function of the heat power exchanged at the secondary exchanger 21, or as a function of the heat load required for the user U to take domestic water).

[0094] In view of all of the above, one or more temperature sensors selected from at least the following can be provided by way of non - limiting example, preferably two or more temperature sensors:

[0095] - A first temperature sensor 60 for detecting the DHW water intake temperature T DHW , which is preferably placed on the delivery pipe 29 of the secondary circuit 201 of the boiler 2, and / or

[0096] - A second temperature sensor 61 for detecting the first return temperature TretWHB , which is preferably placed on the return pipe 23 of the main circuit 200 of the boiler 2, upstream or downstream of, for example, the circulation pump 25, and / or - a third temperature sensor 62 for detecting the second return temperature T retHP , which is preferably placed near or at the inlet of the heat pump 3, for example, on the pipe 51 of the heating system 5, and / or

[0097] - a fourth temperature sensor 63 for detecting the delivery temperature T flowWHB , which is preferably located at the outlet of the main exchanger 20 of the boiler 2.

[0098] When direct detection of the flow rate circulating in the boiler 2 and / or the heat pump 3 is provided (see Figure 1 and / or Figure 2 ), the hybrid system 1 of the present invention may further include one or more flow sensors, preferably two or more flow sensors, selected from at least the following:

[0099] - a first flow sensor 70 for detecting the total flow rate m totWHB , which is preferably placed on the return pipe 23 of the main circuit 200 of the boiler 2, upstream or downstream of, for example, the circulation pump 25, and / or

[0100] - a second flow sensor 71 for detecting the flow rate m DHW , which is preferably placed in a position quite close to the domestic exchanger 21, for example, its inlet or outlet, for example, at the relevant feed pipe 28 or delivery pipe 29, and / or

[0101] - a third flow sensor 72 for detecting the flow rate m in the heat pump 3 chHP , which is preferably placed in a position quite close to or at the inlet of the heat pump 3, for example, on the pipe 51 of the heating system 5.

[0102] Once again, when the temperature sensors 60, 61, 62, 63 and / or the flow sensors 70, 71, 72 are provided, they are connected to and cooperate with the control unit of the hybrid system 1 in a known manner.

[0103] In addition, for the sake of clarity, as has been anticipated, if the flow rate that could originally be detected is instead indirectly calculated by the control unit of the hybrid system 1 as a function of other physical quantities and / or operating parameters of the hybrid system 1, the presence of one or more of the flow sensors 70, 71, 72 may be omitted.

[0104] After having described the main components of the hybrid system 1 and having at least partially defined the objectives to be achieved by it, a method for the management and control of the ON / OFF cycle (switching cycle) of the heat pump 3 will now be described, which method proceeds according to different and alternative structural variants and is briefly illustrated by means of the Figures 3a - 3b flowchart in

[0105] For the sake of simplicity, hereinafter the "method for the management and control of the ON / OFF cycle of the hybrid system heat pump" will be briefly referred to as the "management method of the hybrid system".

[0106] Generally speaking, and substantially applicable to each embodiment of the present invention, the management method of the hybrid system 1, in the presence of at least one ongoing domestic hot water DHW withdrawal, comprises at least one of the following:

[0107] Step a) ensuring that during said at least one DHW withdrawal, at least a minimum flow rate m of the technical fluid in the heat pump 3 is guaranteed minHP (for example between 200 - 700 l / h), in order to:

[0108] - avoid its shutdown, thus reducing the number of its on and off cycles (ON / OFF cycles), and / or

[0109] - guarantee the continuity of operation of the hybrid system 1 in CH mode, which, although in a more limited form, can still continue to "power" the heating system 5.

[0110] Preferably, at least for some of its embodiments, the management method of the hybrid system 1 can also provide further control procedures after or in combination with step a) above, aimed at verifying whether the hybrid system 1 has achieved certain operating conditions.

[0111] More specifically, according to the present invention, step b as described above can be provided, which verifies that the domestic water withdrawal requested by the user U is fully available and achievable even when the heat pump 3 is on (although at the minimum flow rate m minHP ), and said step "b" is called "comfort verification DHW".

[0112] The main step (step a) and the additional step (step b) that define the management method of the hybrid system 1 of the present invention will now be described in more detail, although the additional step is preferred and desirable.

[0113] Step a) - Verify the minimum flow rate m in heat pump 3 minHP

[0114] During DHW withdrawal, the control unit of the hybrid system 1 sets the switching device 4 of the boiler 2 (i.e., Figure 1 the 3-way modulating valve 40 in the embodiment variant or Figure 2The electronic regulating valve 42 on the bypass pipe 41 in the variant positions it in such a way as to ensure that the technical fluid flows through both the auxiliary heat exchanger 21 of the boiler 2 to provide and achieve the DHW draw requested by the user U (at least in terms of temperature) and through the heat pump 3 (which in turn remains on to ensure the continuity of the above-mentioned room heating, although in a more restricted form).

[0115] More precisely, when the DHW draw is in progress, the switching device 4 moves to a position, hereinafter simply referred to as the "intermediate position", in which it is in fluid communication with both the auxiliary circuit 201 of the boiler 2 and the corresponding main circuit 200, thus ensuring a flow rate m chHP in the heat pump 3 that is at least greater than or equal to the minimum reference flow rate m minHP while ensuring the full achievement of this DHW draw.

[0116] According to different variants of the present invention, during the operation of the hybrid system 1 in both the CH mode and the DHW mode, the intermediate position can be:

[0117] - a preset position, i.e., a position defined by the design, or

[0118] - reached by adjusting the opening angle of the switching device 4 towards the auxiliary circuit 201 of the boiler 2 and / or the main circuit 200, and thus towards the heat pump 3.

[0119] When the switching device 4 is in the preset position, according to the configuration defined by the design, this preset position ensures that the flow rate of the technical fluid circulating in the heat pump 3 always reaches at least the minimum flow rate m minHP so as to guarantee the continuity of operation even in the presence of a DHW draw, and at the same time fully achieve said DHW draw. The preset position reached by adjusting the switching device 4 requires a verification procedure for the same purpose, as follows.

[0120] Without any limitation, according to the first possible implementation variant (as Figure 3a , which is one of the preferred variants), this evaluation procedure (implemented, for example, by the control unit of the hybrid system 1) provides:

[0121] - calculating the heat load Q of the DHW draw requested by the user U DHW , said heat load being defined by the well-known formula as follows:

[0122] Q DHW = m DHW * c p * ΔT dhw [kW]

[0123] where:

[0124] · ΔT dhw= T DHW –T IN.DHW , where:

[0125] ○T DHW = the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 60 placed on the delivery pipe 29 of the secondary circuit 201 of the boiler 2,

[0126] οT IN.DHW = the temperature at which the tap water enters the secondary exchanger 21, said temperature being a predefined fixed value (for example, 10 °C during the reference winter period, when room heating and domestic hot water production are generally required), or, alternatively, a value measured from time to time by means of a specific temperature sensor (not shown),

[0127] ΔT dhw is substantially between 30 °C and 50 °C;

[0128] ·m DHW is the flow rate of domestic hot water detected by the first flow sensor 71 located at the inlet or outlet of the secondary exchanger 21 of the boiler 2, said flow rate m DHW is typically between 120–1200 l / h;

[0129] ·c p (equal to 4,168 J / kg K) is the specific heat capacity of the water from which the DHW is taken;

[0130] - comparing the calculated heat load Q DHW with a suitably chosen threshold [x1, x2, where x1 < x2] (for example, experimentally and / or as a function of one or more panel / nominal data of the hybrid system 1), in order to discriminate whether the domestic DHW draw-off is achieved when a portion of the flow rate of the technical fluid (equal to said m chHP ) is used for the operation of the heat pump 3, this portion of the flow rate m chHP being equal to or greater than the minimum flow rate m minHP sufficient to avoid the shutdown of the heat pump 3.

[0131] More precisely, first, the heat load Q DHW is compared with the first threshold x1, and in particular, it is checked whether Q DHW ≥ x1, and:

[0132] · If this condition is not verified, i.e., if Q DHW < x1, the switching device 4 (for example, the modulating three-way valve 40 or the electronic regulating valve 42 of the bypass 41) is brought to / is found in said "intermediate position", and it is ensured that the technical fluid passes through the heat pump 3 at least at the minimum flow rate m minHP such that m chHP > m minHP[l / h], so the heat pump 3 remains on during DHW water intake, and the DHW water intake is fully achieved;

[0133] Otherwise,

[0134] · If this condition (i.e., Q DHW ≥ x1) is verified, the heat load Q DHW is compared with a second threshold x2, and if:

[0135] οQ DHW ≤ x2, the switching device 4 is brought to / found in the "intermediate position", and ensures at least a minimum flow rate m minHP of the technical fluid in the heat pump 3, such that m chHP = m minHP , and in any case the DHW water intake is fully achieved,

[0136] οQ DHW > x2, the switching device 4 is brought to be in fluid communication only with the auxiliary circuit 201 of the boiler 2, effectively excluding the main circuit 200 and the heat pump 3, and the heat pump 3 is thus switched off as it can no longer ensure the said minimum flow rate m minHP (i.e.: m chHP < m minHP ).

[0137] In other words, when during DHW water intake the heat pump 3 remains on, the measured corresponding heat load Q DHW is less than x2 (Q DHW ≤ x2), and this x2 defines the maximum load threshold.

[0138] Without any limitation, the thresholds x1 and x2 can be defined and selected based on the nominal thermal power of the boiler 2 (which is known nameplate data); in such cases, for example:

[0139] · x1 can be defined as 75% - 85% of the nominal thermal power of the boiler 2 (kW), preferably 80%,

[0140] · x2 can be defined as 93% - 97% of the nominal thermal power of the boiler 2 (kW), preferably 95%.

[0141] It should also be noted that, as has been partly anticipated, for the determination of the flow rate m minHP to be compared with the minimum flow rate m chHP , it can:

[0142] - be directly measured by the above-mentioned third flow sensor 72, which is preferably placed at the inlet of the heat pump 3, or alternatively,

[0143] - In the absence of the sensor 72, it is calculated by the control unit of the hybrid system 1 via appropriate mathematical processing and based on other operating parameters known to the hybrid system 1 of the present invention and / or obtainable by dedicated sensors.

[0144] In such a second case, for example, the flow rate m of the technical fluid in the heat pump 3 chHP can be determined indirectly because the known mathematical relationship:

[0145] m chHP = m totWHB – m dhwWHB [l / h]

[0146] where:

[0147] · As can be seen, m totWHB is the total flow rate of the technical fluid circulating through the main exchanger 20 of the boiler 2, which is known to be directly measured by the above-mentioned first flow sensor 70,

[0148] · m dhwWHB is the flow rate of the domestic hot water through the auxiliary circuit 201 of the boiler 2, which can be calculated according to the following formula based on the heat balance at the auxiliary exchanger (21):

[0149] m dhwWHB *ΔT dhwWHB = m DHW *ΔT dhw

[0150] From which:

[0151] m dhwWHB = (m DHW *ΔT dhw ) / ΔT dhwWHB

[0152] From which it can be known that:

[0153] oΔT dhwWHB = T flowWHB - T retWHB ,

[0154] where, as can be seen, T flowWHB and T retWHB are known because they can be detected by the sensors 63 and 61 respectively used to detect the supply temperature and return temperature of the technical fluid in the boiler 2,

[0155] οm DHW , i.e., the flow rate of the DHW water intake that can be measured by the above-mentioned second flow sensor 71,

[0156] oΔT dhw = T DHW – T IN.DHW, where, as previously mentioned, T DHW represents the temperature of the DHW withdrawal detected by the first temperature sensor 60 of the hybrid system 1, and T IN.DHW represents the temperature value of the tap water, which is predefined or can be measured via a suitable dedicated sensor.

[0157] According to a second implementation embodiment of the method for managing the hybrid system 1 of the present invention ( Figure 3b ), as previously mentioned, in the presence of DHW withdrawal, the switching device 4 can be directly moved to a predetermined position, such as the position identified during the design phase, which can ensure that the flow rate m of the technical fluid in the heat pump 3 chHP is at least equal to or greater than the minimum flow rate m that prevents it from shutting down minHP .

[0158] Therefore, in this embodiment (which thus represents a "simplified" embodiment of the method of the present invention), the step of calculating the heat load Q of the DHW withdrawal requested by the user U DHW and subsequently comparing it with the thresholds x1 and x2 (as described in the execution variant of the method above Figure 3a ) is unnecessary.

[0159] Such simplified embodiments can be used not only for instantaneous condensing boilers but also specifically for storage boilers.

[0160] Finally, it should be noted again that during the DHW withdrawal for domestic use in the boiler 2, when the heat pump 3 remains on, it is preferably necessary for the control unit of the hybrid system 1 to activate the comfort verification for DHW, which will be described in detail below.

[0161] It should also be specified that there is no hindrance to extending the said comfort verification for DHW to the storage condensing boiler as well to ensure the optimal performance of the hybrid system 1 of the present invention, although such verification is not strictly necessary given the ability to "prepare" and heat the domestic water stored in its tank in the most appropriate way in advance.

[0162] Step b) Comfort verification for DHW

[0163] As expected, the comfort verification for DHW is a control procedure that can be executed when the heat pump 3 remains on even in the presence of DHW withdrawal by the user U (step a).

[0164] In fact, regarding the comfort verification for DHW procedure, it is desired to verify that in the presence of such operating conditions of the hybrid system 1 (the boiler 2 operates in the domestic mode DHW, the heat pump 3 is on and the relevant switching device 4 is in the "intermediate position"), the DHW withdrawal requested by the user U can always be fully achieved (for example, by ensuring at least the temperature is the same as the set value T of the boiler 2 setDHWThe temperatures are substantially equal).

[0165] If such verification has a positive result (i.e., DHW water intake can be achieved), the heat pump 3 can continue to operate even during DHW water intake, and the system 5 can still be used for room heating, although in a more limited form (i.e., at a substantially minimum power).

[0166] Conversely, if the verification has a negative result (i.e., there is a risk that the setpoint temperature T for DHW water intake cannot be guaranteed setDHW ), the heat pump 3 is definitely switched off and the hybrid system 1 of the present invention will continue to operate exclusively in DHW life mode.

[0167] As Figure 3a and 3b reported, the comfort verification DHW can preferably be carried out as a function of the temperature of the domestic water and / or technical fluid circulating in the hybrid system 1 of the present invention, these temperatures being measured at different points in the system and based on, for example, their comparison with a specific threshold; according to a possible embodiment of the present invention, the temperature preferably may include the temperature T of the domestic hot water flowing out of the boiler 2 as described above DHW and / or the T of the technical fluid flowing back to the same boiler 2 retWHB .

[0168] Naturally, the possibility of providing equivalent or similar methods is not precluded, for example based on the rate of change / speed of change of the said T DHW and / or T retWHB temperature over time (derivative over a time interval). According to Figure 3a or a possible implementation example of 3b, the comfort verification DHW control is carried out for DHW water intake lasting t1≥t0, where t0 is a time appropriately selected to exclude small water intakes (i.e., those with a shorter duration (e.g., on the order of 3 s - 25 s)) from such verification procedures.

[0169] Therefore:

[0170] - If t1≥t0, the comfort verification DHW control is activated to detect:

[0171] · The temperature T retWHB , which can be measured by the above-mentioned second temperature sensor 61 placed on the return pipe 23 of the main circuit 200 of the boiler 2 ( Figure 3b execution variant),

[0172] or, indifferently / replaceably,

[0173] · The water intake temperature T WHB , which can be measured by the above-mentioned first temperature sensor 60 placed on the return pipe 29 of the secondary circuit 201 ( Figure 3aExecution embodiments)

[0174] The temperature T retWHB and T DHW Can actually be close to each other with good accuracy and / or the comparability to each other is less than factor K i ,

[0175] Otherwise

[0176] - If t1 < t o (i.e., there is a small water intake with a shorter duration), the switching device 4 of the mixing system 1 remains in the position ensuring the minimum flow rate m minHP in the heat pump 3, and the heat pump 3 can thus remain on until the mixing system 1 switches to the CH mode due to the end of the small water intake.

[0177] After verifying t1 ≥ t o , the comfort verification DHW procedure can provide at least one comparison step between the water intake temperature T DHW or the return temperature T retWHB and the setpoint temperature T setDHW required to achieve DHW water intake setDHW1 and a possible second threshold T setDHW2 , where:

[0178] - T setDHW Can be fixed and between 40°C and 60°C, preferably 50°C;

[0179] - T setDHW1 = T setDHW – 1;

[0180] - T setDHW2 = T setDHW – 5.

[0181] More specifically:

[0182] · If T DHW ≥ T setDHW1 or T retWHB ≥ T setDHW1 , then the DHW water intake has been fully achieved, and the heat pump (3) of the mixing system can remain on (the switching device 4 is in the "intermediate position"),

[0183] Otherwise,

[0184] · If T DHW < T setDHW1 or T retWHB < T setDHW1, the activation routine R is then activated, which is adapted to check whether the temperature of the DHW water intake is rising and approaching at least the temperature that ensures and completes the DHW water intake, e.g., approaching the desired setpoint temperature T setDHW .

[0185] During this routine R, the heat pump 3 continues to operate at least at its minimum flow rate m minHP and remains on, and the temperature T DHW or T retWHB is compared with the second threshold T setDHW2 ; in particular, a timer is activated to check whether the condition T DHW ≥T setDHW2 or T retWHB ≥T setDHW2 is verified after time t2≥t0 / 2, and:

[0186] · If this condition is not verified (i.e., if T DHW <T setDHW2 or T retWHB <T setDHW2 ), the heat pump 3 is turned off and the switching device 4 switches the mixing system 1 to the DHW mode in order to ensure the water intake of the user U, otherwise the water intake cannot be fully achieved,

[0187] Otherwise

[0188] · If this condition is verified (i.e., if T DHW ≥T setDHW2 or T retWHB ≥T setDHW2 ), the heat pump 3 remains on, the switching device 4 of the relevant system remains in the "intermediate position" between the CH mode and the DHW mode, and the temperature T DHW or T retWHB is compared with the threshold T setDHW1 and the subsequent relevant steps are repeated.

[0189] In other words, it is clear that the routine R repeatedly controls and compares the water intake temperature T DHW , the return temperature T retWHB with the corresponding upper threshold T setDHW1 and lower threshold T setDHW2 , until one of the following replacement conditions is verified:

[0190] · T DHW ≥T setDHW1 or T retWHB ≥T setDHW1 , under which condition the DHW water intake temperature is high enough (i.e., substantially equal to the setpoint temperature T setDHW ) to fully meet the request of the user U,

[0191] or

[0192] ·T DHW <T setDHW2 or T retWHB <T setDHW2 Under this condition, the DHW extraction temperature gradually decreases to a value insufficient to meet the request of user U (in such cases, as previously mentioned, it is necessary to turn off the heat pump 3 of the mixing system 1, so the system will operate in the CH mode only).

[0193] Although it should be clear and deducible from the foregoing, it should finally be specified that once the extraction of domestic hot water DHW stops, the management method of the comfort verification DHW and the entire mixing system 1 will be interrupted, and the relevant switching device 4 will usually position itself to the CH mode, at least until the subsequent user U extracts domestic hot water again.

[0194] Obviously, the mixing system 1 and the related management method of the present invention can achieve the above object. In particular, a mixing system 1 is provided, whose heat pump 3 can operate for room heating even during the extraction of domestic hot water DHW produced by the boiler 2.

[0195] More precisely, the management method of the mixing system 1 of the present invention can significantly reduce the number of on / off cycles of the heat pump 3 caused by the extraction of domestic hot water DHW, thereby maintaining its duration and efficiency, and at the same time ensuring the continuity of room heating (although to a reduced extent), as well as ensuring the complete realization and supply of domestic hot water extraction.

[0196] Finally, using the method of the present invention and the related mixing system 1 suitable for implementing this method has the following advantages: in the case of a known partial (or almost completely closed) heating system 5, the above switching device 4 (such as Figure 1 the three-way valve 40 in) will act as a controlled bypass, which will enable the control of the minimum flow rate to the heat pump 3, and when the heat load (and the flow rate required by the system 5) is so low that it is necessary to turn off both generators (i.e., also the boiler 2), the heat pump can be turned off in advance.

[0197] Finally, it is obvious that various variants can be generated from the mixing system 1 and / or the related management method according to the present invention without departing from the scope of novelty of the inventive concept for those skilled in the art. Similarly, it is obvious that in the actual embodiments of the present invention, the various components of the above-mentioned mixing system 1 can be replaced by technically equivalent elements.

Claims

1. A method for managing a mixing system (1) through which a technical fluid for room heating and / or for domestic water production circulates, the mixing system (1) comprising at least: - a boiler (2) and a heat pump (3), said boiler and said heat pump being hydraulically connected to each other and electronically interfaced, - a switching device (4; 40; 40', 41, 42), the switching device is suitable for switching the hybrid system (1) between the "room heating" operating mode CH and the "domestic water heating" DHW operating mode: When the switching device (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) is in fluid communication with at least the main circuit (200) of the boiler (2) and the heat pump (3), it switches to the "room heating" operating mode CH; when the switching device (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) is in fluid communication with at least the auxiliary circuit (201) of the same boiler (2), it switches to the "domestic water heating" DHW operating mode, or vice versa, - at least one circulation pump (25) for the technical fluid, - means for acquiring one or more operating parameters of the mixing system (1) (60, 61, 62, 63; 70, 71, 72), - a control unit adapted to communicate with at least said switching device (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) and / or communicate and cooperate with the acquisition device (60, 61, 62, 63; 70, 71, 72) of the operating parameters of the hybrid system (1), The management method of the hybrid system (1) at least realizes the control of the switching cycle ON / OFF of the heat pump (3) during the domestic hot water (DHW) water extraction period. The method is characterized in that the method comprises at least the following steps: during the DHW water intake period, Ensure that the technical fluid has a flow rate of at least m chHP flows through the heat pump (3), the flow rate being equal to or greater than the reference minimum flow rate m minHP , the minimum flow rate is suitable for: - avoid shutting down of the heat pump (3), thus reducing the number of on-off cycles of the heat pump, and - ensure the continuity of operation of the hybrid system (1) in heating mode CH even during the DHW water withdrawal, During the step, the switching device (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) is in an intermediate position between the "room heating" operating mode CH and the "domestic water heating" DHW operating mode.

2. A method for managing a hybrid system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The intermediate position of the switching device (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) is predetermined, ie defined by design.

3. A method for managing a hybrid system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that: The middle position of the switching device (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) is achieved by adjusting the opening angle of the switching device (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) toward the main circuit (200) and / or the auxiliary circuit (201) of the boiler (2).

4. A method for managing a hybrid system (1) according to claim 1 and / or 3, characterized in that: The method comprises the following steps: calculating the heat load Q of the DHW water intake DHW , and compare the heat load with at least one threshold value x1, x2, and: - If Q DHW < x1, then, when the flow rate m of the technical fluid is dedicated to the heat pump (3) such that m chHP > m chHP > m minHP to meet the DHW water intake, and the heat pump (3) remains on even during the DHW water intake, the switching device (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) is in the intermediate position, otherwise - If Q DHW ≥x1, then the heat load Q DHW is compared with the second threshold x2, and: If Q DHW ≤x2, that is, if x1≤Q DHW ≤x2, then the flow rate m of the technical fluid chHP Dedicated to the heat pump (3) so that m chHP =m minHP The DHW water intake is satisfied, and the heat pump (3) remains turned on even during the DHW water intake, and the switching device (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) is in the middle position, otherwise, If Q DHW >x2, the heat pump (3) is turned off, and the switching device (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) brings the hybrid system (1) into the DHW operation mode.

5. A method for managing a hybrid system (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that The flow rate m of the technical fluid circulating in the heat pump (3) is directly measured by a flow sensor (72). chHP Preferably, the flow sensor is placed at the inlet of the heat pump (3).

6. A method for managing a hybrid system (1) according to any of the preceding claims except claim 5, characterized in that The flow rate m of the technical fluid circulating in the heat pump (3) chHP The control unit of the hybrid system (1) calculates the hybrid system (1) via mathematical calculations and based on other operating parameters of the hybrid system (1) that are known and / or acquired via dedicated sensors.

7. A method for managing a hybrid system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that The flow rate m of the technical fluid circulating in the heat pump (3) chHP Press m chHP =m totWHB –m dhwWHB Calculate, where: -m totWHB is the total flow rate of the technical fluid circulating in the main exchanger (20) of the boiler (2), the m totWHB It is known that, because the m totWHB can be directly measured by the first flow sensor (70), The first flow sensor is preferably placed on the main circuit (200) of the boiler (2). dhwWHB is the flow rate of the technical fluid through the auxiliary circuit (201) of the boiler (2), which can be calculated from the heat balance at the corresponding auxiliary exchanger (21) according to the following formula: m dhwWHB *ΔT dhwWHB =m dhw *ΔT dhw 。 8. A method for managing a hybrid system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The method provides a "comfort verification DHW" step for verifying that the heat pump (3) is still operating despite its minimum flow rate m minHP When it is turned on, the DHW water intake is still fully available and sufficient. Based on the result of the verification, the heat pump (3) can be kept on for room heating or vice versa. Had to close.

9. A method for managing a hybrid system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that The "comfort verification DHW" is the temperature T of the DHW water intake. DHW and / or the return temperature T of the technical fluid to the boiler (2) retWHB function.

10. A method for managing a hybrid system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterised in that The "comfort verification DHW" is performed for DHW water intake lasting for a time t1≥t0, where t0 is appropriately selected to exclude small water intakes with short durations from such verification, where: - If t1 < t0, it is a small water intake, and the above-mentioned switching device (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) remain in the intermediate position, which ensures the minimum flow m in the heat pump (3) minHP , so the heat pump (3) remains on, Otherwise - If t1 ≥ t o , then we find that: The reflux temperature T in the boiler (2) retWHB , Or The DHW intake water temperature T DHW , The temperature T retWHB and T DHW can be similar and / or comparable to each other by less than a factor K i , The temperature T DHW or T retWHB With at least one first threshold T setDHW1 For comparison, where: -If T DHW ≥T setDHW1 or T retWHB ≥T setDHW1 , then the DHW water intake is fully satisfied, And the heat pump (3) can remain on, Otherwise, -If T DHW <T setDHW1 or T retWHB <T setDHW1 , then activate routine R, suitable for verifying that after time t2 ≥ t0 / 2, the temperature T DHW or T retWHB Whether it is rising.

11. A method for managing a hybrid system (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that: During the routine R: - The heat pump (3) remains on, - The DHW water intake temperature T DHW Or reflux temperature T retWHB With the second threshold T setDHW2 For comparison, Where T setDHW2 <T setDHW1 ,and If condition T DHW ≥T setDHW2 or T retWHB ≥T setDHW2 is verified, the heat pump (3) remains on, and the temperature T DHW or T retWHB With the first threshold T setDHW1 The above comparison and subsequent correlation steps are repeated, Otherwise, If condition T DHW ≥T setDHW2 or T retWHB ≥T setDHW2 If not verified, the heat pump (3) is turned off and the hybrid system (1) operates only in DHW mode.

12. The management method of the hybrid system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 8 to 11, characterized in that When the DHW water intake and the above-mentioned switching device (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) of the hybrid system (1) return to the only CH mode, the "comfort verification DHW" stops.

13. A hybrid system (1) for room heating and / or domestic hot water production, at least comprising: - A boiler (2) for room heating and / or domestic water production, the boiler comprising a main circuit (200) and an auxiliary circuit (201) in which a technical fluid circulates, the main circuit (200) and the auxiliary circuit (201) respectively comprising a main exchanger (20) for heating the technical fluid, and at least one auxiliary exchanger (21) in which the technical fluid is in a heat exchange relationship with the domestic water to be heated, - A heat pump (3), preferably for room heating, the heat pump comprising a refrigeration circuit (30), and being hydraulically connected and electronically interfaced with the boiler (2), - A switching device (4; 40; 40', 41, 42), shared by the main circuit (200) and the auxiliary circuit (201) and adapted to switch the hybrid system (1) between a "room heating" operating mode CH and a "domestic water" operating mode DHW: when the switching device is in fluid communication with the main circuit (200) of the boiler (2) and the corresponding heat pump (3), it switches to the "room heating" operating mode CH; while when the switching device is in fluid communication with the auxiliary circuit (201) of the boiler (2), it switches to the "domestic water" operating mode DHW, or vice versa, - At least one circulation pump (25) for the technical fluid, - Acquisition devices (60, 61, 62, 63; 70, 71, 72) for one or more operating parameters of the hybrid system (1), - A control unit, the control unit being adapted to communicate and cooperate with at least the switching device (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) and / or with the acquisition devices (60, 61, 62, 63; 70, 71, 72) of the operating parameters of the hybrid system (1), Characterized in that the hybrid system (1) implements the management method according to claims 1 to 12, The type of the switching device (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) can: - Ensure that during the DHW water withdrawal period for user U, the technical fluid flows at a flow rate of m chHP Flowing through the heat pump (3), the flow rate m chHP Greater than or equal to the reference minimum flow m minHP , the minimum flow m minHP Suitable for: - Avoid the shutdown of the heat pump (3), and - Ensure the continuity of operation of the hybrid system (1) in the heating mode CH during the water intake (DHW), - Move to an intermediate position between the "room heating" operating mode CH and the "domestic water heating" DHW operating mode.

14. The mixing system (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that The switching device (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) comprises a modulating three-way valve (40).

15. The mixing system (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that The switching device (4; 40; 40', 41, 42) comprises a three-way valve (40') of the ON / OFF type, the three-way valve cooperating with a bypass pipe (41), the bypass pipe (41) being provided with at least one electronic regulating valve (42), preferably, the bypass pipe (41) is parallel to the return pipe (23) of the main circuit (200) of the boiler (2).

16. Mixing system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims 13 to 15, characterized in that The acquisition device (60, 61, 62, 63) of one or more operating parameters of the mixing system (1); 70, 71, 72) may include one or more temperature sensors (60, 61, 62, 63), preferably at least two temperature sensors, selected from at least the following: - A first temperature sensor (60) for detecting the temperature T of the domestic hot water DHW water intake DHW , and / or - a second temperature sensor (61) for detecting the return temperature T of the technical fluid in the boiler (2) passing through the heat pump (3) retWHB , and / or - a third temperature sensor (62) for detecting the return temperature T of the technical fluid entering the heat pump (3) after circulation in the room heating system (5) retHP , and / or - a fourth temperature sensor (63) for detecting the delivery temperature T of the technical fluid in the boiler (2) flowWHB .

17. Mixing system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that: - the first temperature sensor (60) is placed on the conveying pipe (29) of the auxiliary circuit (201) of the boiler (2), - the second temperature sensor (61) is placed on the return pipe (23) of the main circuit (200) of the boiler (2), - the third temperature sensor (62) is placed near or at the inlet of the heat pump (3), - The fourth temperature sensor (63) is preferably positioned at the outlet of the main exchanger (20) of the boiler (2).

18. Mixing system (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims 13 to 17, characterized in that The acquisition device (60, 61, 62, 63) of one or more operating parameters of the mixing system (1); 70, 71, 72) may include one or more flow sensors (70, 71, 72), preferably two or more flow sensors, selected from at least the following: - a first flow sensor (70) for detecting the total flow m of the technical fluid in the boiler (2) totWHB , for example the total flow rate of the technical fluid circulating in the main exchanger (20) of the main circuit (200), and / or - A second flow sensor (71), used to detect the flow rate m of the domestic water DHW intake DHW , and / or - a third flow sensor (72) for detecting the flow rate m of the technical fluid in the heat pump (3) chHP .

19. Mixing system (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that: - the first flow sensor (70) is placed on the return pipe (23) of the main circuit (200) of the boiler (2), upstream or downstream of the circulation pump (25), - the second flow sensor (71) is placed relatively close to the secondary exchanger (21) of the secondary circuit (201) of the boiler (2), on the relevant supply pipe (28) or delivery pipe (29), - The third flow sensor (72) is placed at a position relatively close to the heat pump (3) or at the inlet of the heat pump (3).

20. The mixing system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims 13 and thereafter, characterized in that: - the boiler (2) is an instantaneous condensing or heat storage gas boiler, - the heat pump (3) is a single-body air-water heat pump, The boiler (2) and the heat pump (3) are hydraulically connected to each other in series.

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