Heat management system for connection to a heat pump, associated heating system and use

Abstract

The invention relates to a heat management system (2) designed for connection to a heat pump (4). According to the invention, it is proposed that the heat management system (2) comprises a buffer storage tank (6) with at least one flow fluid inlet (8) and at least one return fluid outlet (10), wherein the flow fluid inlet (8) can be fluidly connected to a flow (16) of a heat pump (4) via a heat pump flow connection (14), and the return fluid outlet (10) can be connected to a return (20) of the heat pump (4) via a heat pump return connection (18), wherein the heat management system (2) further comprises a space heating flow connection (30) and a space heating return connection (32) for connecting a space heating system (34).wherein the space heating flow connection (30) is fluid-conductingly connected to the flow fluid inlet (8) or another flow fluid inlet of the buffer storage tank (6) and the heat pump flow connection (14), and wherein the space heating return connection (32) is fluid-conductingly connected to the return fluid outlet (10) or another flow fluid inlet of the buffer storage tank (6) and the heat pump return connection (18), and wherein the heat management system (2) is enclosed in a housing (46).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a thermal management system designed for connection to a heat pump. The invention further relates to a related use.

[0002] Heat pumps are a key technology for moving away from fossil fuel heating systems. They utilize renewable heat sources, thus saving on fossil fuels. These heat pump systems are used for both space heating and hot water production.

[0003] Although heat pumps have become widespread in new buildings, retrofitting existing single-family and two-family homes with such systems still presents a challenge. Even though fewer single-family homes have been built recently, they still clearly dominate the building stock, accounting for around two-thirds of all residential buildings in Germany in 2019. Including two-family homes, their share was even higher, at around 83%.

[0004] Heating systems, particularly in single-family and two-family homes, are fundamentally subject to two essential requirements: ensuring adequate space heating and providing sufficient domestic hot water. For space heating, a distinction is made between a heat generation system, a heat distribution system, and a heat emission system. The interaction of these components should achieve a room temperature of approximately 20°C. The goal of domestic hot water provision is to provide a sufficient supply of hot drinking water at various taps, such as a shower, washbasin, bathtub, or kitchen sink, without any time restrictions.

[0005] When replacing fossil fuel heating systems in existing buildings with heat pump solutions, it's important to understand that heat and energy provision by a heat pump differs significantly from heat generation using fossil fuels. A heat pump is a heat collector that gathers up to four times more solar heat than it requires in drive energy. Collecting this heat energy requires large flow rates through the heat pump, resulting in relatively small temperature differences, often just a few degrees. The maximum system temperature is limited depending on the refrigerant (e.g., 60°C, 75°C). Higher temperatures cause the heat pump to shut down. Furthermore, efficiency decreases when the heat pump has to overcome larger temperature differences (e.g., more than 45°C).

[0006] In existing systems that use fossil fuels, combustion processes release chemical energy stored in the fossil fuels. These fuels offer high energy density and enable the generation of large temperature differences with relatively small flow rates. In existing buildings with fossil fuel heating systems, heat generation, distribution, and delivery are hydraulically coupled. In other words, these systems are designed for comparatively large temperature differences and small flow rates. Supply temperatures of 85°C to 90°C are standard practice.

[0007] If such a fossil fuel heating system is to be replaced by a heat pump, the operating parameters of the heat pump in terms of volume flow and temperature difference are often not or only partially compatible with the existing configuration of the heat distribution and delivery system, which is designed for fossil fuels.

[0008] Against this background, the invention was based on the objective of further developing a heat management system of the type mentioned above in such a way as to eliminate the disadvantages found in the prior art as far as possible. In particular, a heat management system was to be provided which is designed for connection with a heat pump, which also enables efficient operation of a heat pump in existing buildings and is also compact and easy to retrofit, while achieving a level of hot water comfort comparable to that of fossil fuel heating systems, since the technical rules and standards are also based on the practical experience of heating systems with fossil fuel heat generators.

[0009] According to the invention, the problem is solved by the heat management system having a buffer storage tank with at least one, in particular two, flow fluid inlets and a return fluid inlet, wherein one of the flow fluid inlets can be fluidly connected to a flow of a heat pump via a heat pump flow connection, and the return fluid outlet can be connected to a return of the heat pump via a heat pump return connection, wherein the heat management system further comprises a residential heating flow connection and a residential heating return connection for connecting a residential heating system, wherein the residential heating flow connection is fluidly connected to the flow fluid inlet of the buffer storage tank and the heat pump flow connection, and wherein the residential heating return connection is fluidly connected to the return fluid outlet of the buffer storage tank and the heat pump return connection.the thermal management system is enclosed in a housing.

[0010] The invention utilizes the fact that, through the use of a buffer storage tank and the corresponding piping, the heat collection circuit—i.e., the flow and return fluid inlets, which can be fluid-conducted to the heat pump—is hydraulically decoupled from the heat distribution circuit—i.e., the supply and return connections for the space heating system. This allows for the creation of two parallel circuits with different flow rates. The circuit connecting the heat pump to the buffer storage tank can operate with a higher flow rate and a smaller temperature difference. Conversely, the circuit connecting the buffer storage tank to the space heating system can operate with a higher temperature difference and a lower flow rate. This results in a hydraulic decoupling of the heat pump and the heat output towards the space heating system.

[0011] Furthermore, enclosing the thermal management system provides a particularly compact and easily retrofitted solution, significantly reducing installation effort compared to systems with individual components. For example, a thermal management system configured for a single-family home can have a footprint of only about 0.4 m² and a height of 1.40 m, making it suitable even for niches and utility rooms in existing buildings.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the heat management system comprises a heat exchanger which is fluidly connected to a supply fluid inlet, in particular a second supply fluid inlet of the buffer storage tank, and which is configured to transfer heat energy from the buffer storage tank to the domestic hot water, and a domestic hot water supply line which can be connected to a domestic hot water consumer, wherein the domestic hot water supply line is connected to the heat exchanger, and wherein the heat exchanger is configured to transfer heat energy of the hot water supplied from the supply fluid inlet, in particular the second supply fluid inlet, to domestic hot water flowing through the domestic hot water supply line.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the heat management system has a heating device which is arranged downstream of the heat exchanger in the direction of flow on the drinking water supply line and is designed to heat drinking water.

[0014] The described further developments of the invention make it possible to heat drinking water in a cascaded manner. First, the drinking water is preheated by means of the heat exchanger, and then, if required, it is further heated by the heating system. This addresses a significant weakness of existing heat pump systems: Existing systems often use large domestic hot water storage volumes (300 l) or buffer storage volumes (500 l, 800 l and more) with fresh water stations. Such volumes must always be maintained within a specific temperature range, and if necessary, the drinking water volumes must be temporarily heated to 65°C to thermally kill germs and bacteria. Such a system, in which buffer storage tanks of 500 l or more are used, requires a considerable amount of energy to heat and maintain the buffer storage tank at the desired temperature, e.g., 50°C.A temperature level that heat pumps can usually only achieve with electric auxiliary heating, and in any case, only with low efficiency. Once the storage volume is depleted, a significant amount of time is required to reheat it. During these periods, domestic hot water and heating are either unavailable or only available to a limited extent.

[0015] All embodiments serve two-stage domestic hot water preparation. The buffer tank can be maintained at any desired temperature, depending in particular on the amount of energy available and that which can be charged into the buffer tank. Continuous heating of the buffer tank to a desired target temperature is not necessary. To achieve the desired target temperature, an additional means is used in a second stage, which provides domestic hot water at the desired temperature. This could be, for example, an electric instantaneous water heater or a fossil fuel boiler. Because the buffer tank does not need to be kept at a constantly high temperature level due to the two-stage design, standby losses are eliminated.At the same time, a high level of comfort for consumers is achieved by ensuring that drinking water can always be drawn at the desired target temperature, even for extended periods of time.

[0016] By using the combination of a plate heat exchanger and a heating unit, the domestic hot water can first be efficiently preheated via the buffer storage tank when demand is low. The heating unit then heats the domestic hot water to the target temperature. This approach aims to heat the drawn amount of domestic hot water only when it is actually needed, unlike existing systems where a large storage volume is constantly heated to a high temperature. The system according to the invention allows for significantly smaller buffer storage volumes, resulting in a smaller overall installation space for the entire heat management system. This also ensures that domestic hot water is continuously available with the heat management system according to the invention, even during several consecutive showers.

[0017] Cascaded domestic hot water heating, consisting of preheating via a heat pump and a heating unit, particularly an instantaneous water heater, also accommodates various draw-off profiles. For example, a typical shower uses 40 to 100 liters of water at a temperature of 38 to 40°C, while a full bath uses 140 to 160 liters at 37 to 40°C. A hand basin typically requires only 2 to 3 liters per wash at a temperature of 25 to 30°C. A kitchen sink requires higher temperatures, around 50°C, but smaller volumes of 5 to 10 liters per wash. Cascaded domestic hot water heating allows for a particularly flexible and energy-efficient response to these individual needs. Furthermore, drinking water hygiene is ensured due to the water volume being less than 3 liters, and there is no risk of bacterial contamination, such as by Legionella.The energy-intensive heating of large volumes of hot drinking water to over 60°C for thermal disinfection is no longer necessary.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the thermal management system includes an electrical energy storage device configured to store electrical energy and supply the heating device with electrical energy. Preferably, the electrical energy storage device has a storage capacity of at least one kilowatt-hour, more preferably 1.5 to 3 kilowatt-hours. By providing an electrical energy storage device, at least some of the electrical energy required to operate the heating device can be drawn from it. For this purpose, the electrical energy storage device can be charged, for example, with regeneratively generated electrical energy. A further particular advantage is that it enables the operation of the heating device with less dependence on the electrical grid.For example, during periods of high grid load, the electrical energy required to operate the heating system can be supplied entirely or partially via the electrical energy storage system. Simultaneously, the electrical energy storage system can be charged during periods of low grid load. The aforementioned capacity of the electrical energy storage system has proven sufficient, for instance, to supply the heating system with electrical energy during an average shower.

[0019] The electrical energy storage device is preferably designed as a battery. Preferably, the thermal management system has a separate connection for charging the electrical energy storage device. A balcony power plant, for example, can be connected to the thermal management system via this separate connection, allowing regeneratively generated electrical energy to be used for charging the electrical energy storage device and thus also for operating the heating system. In such a configuration, the thermal management system operates with a particularly high proportion of relatively self-generated energy. Preferably, the electrical energy storage device is integrated into the housing of the thermal management system.

[0020] Furthermore, the buffer storage tank can be used as a thermal energy storage system with the electric heating element. Excess PV electricity can be stored in the form of heat. The thermal storage capacity is preferably 4–5 kWh.

[0021] According to one embodiment, the heat management system includes a fossil fuel heat generator designed to heat drinking water to a target temperature. The target temperature is the temperature to be supplied to the consumer. The target temperature can be greater than 60°C or greater than 65°C.

[0022] A fossil fuel heat generator, as defined in this application, can be any combustion arrangement that burns fossil fuels. In this way, fossil fuels can be used to provide the desired target temperature for domestic hot water production. The fossil fuel heat generator can, for example, burn gas, oil, biofuel, hydrogen, methanol, or other renewable and non-renewable fuels. If a fossil fuel heat generator is used to heat the domestic hot water to the desired target temperature, then, according to one embodiment, the heating device in the form of an instantaneous water heater can be omitted. According to an alternative embodiment, however, both an instantaneous water heater and a fossil fuel heat generator can be present, thus providing different options for achieving the target temperature during domestic hot water production, depending on availability.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the fossil fuel heat generator is arranged between the heat exchanger and the second flow fluid inlet.

[0024] Preferably, a heat exchanger is arranged between a drinking water pipe, in which the drinking water is heated, and the fossil fuel heat generator. In this way, a corresponding fluid circuit of the fossil fuel heat generator can be separated from the drinking water.

[0025] According to one embodiment, a preheating heat exchanger is provided for preheating. This heat exchanger is preferably connected on one side to the flow line of the heat pump and the flow fluid inlet of the buffer storage tank, and on the other side to a potable water inlet and, via the heat exchanger, to the domestic hot water supply line. Thermal energy is supplied to the preheating heat exchanger via the heat pump. This thermal energy is transferred to the potable water to be heated, thus preheating it. In the heat exchanger, which is supplied with thermal energy by the fossil fuel generator, the potable water is then preferably heated to the target temperature. The target temperature is the temperature that is to be supplied to the consumer.

[0026] In this way, preheating can be carried out using the preheating heat exchanger, and target temperature heating can be achieved using the heat exchanger, which then functions as the target temperature heat exchanger. In other words, preheating takes place on a primary side of the system, and target temperature heating on a secondary side.

[0027] According to an alternative embodiment, both preheating and target temperature heating can take place on the secondary side. Preferably, the domestic hot water is preheated using a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger is connected via the domestic hot water supply line to a secondary-side target temperature heat exchanger. In this target temperature heat exchanger, the domestic hot water is further heated to the desired target temperature. For this purpose, energy is supplied to the target temperature heat exchanger via a fossil fuel boiler. The fossil fuel boiler is also connected to the space heating system, so that the heat output generated by the fossil fuel boiler can also be used for space heating. Preferably, a pump is arranged in the supply line to the fossil fuel boiler, and a three-way valve is also installed in the supply line to the pump.In this way, heated fluid can be fed either to the target temperature heat exchanger or to the living space heating system.

[0028] According to an alternative embodiment, the heat exchanger for preheating can be arranged on the primary side, i.e., connected to the flow fluid inlet and the heat pump on the one hand, and to the drinking water inlet and a connecting line to the target temperature heat exchanger on the other.

[0029] According to one embodiment, a first circulation pump is arranged between the return fluid inlet and the heat pump return connection. The first circulation pump serves to generate a flow rate in the circuit comprising the heat pump and the buffer storage tank. According to another embodiment, a second circulation pump is arranged downstream of the residential heating return connection in the direction of flow. The second circulation pump serves to ensure a flow rate for the heating circuit in the direction of residential heating. Furthermore, the second circulation pump also serves to circulate a flow rate through the heat exchanger when the heat management system is used for domestic hot water production.

[0030] According to one embodiment, the heat pump return connection is fluid-conductingly connected to the domestic hot water return connection via a diverter valve in a first switching position of the diverter valve, and the heat pump return connection is further fluid-conductingly connected to the heat exchanger in a second switching position of the diverter valve. In this way, the diverter valve serves to switch the heat management from heating operation to domestic hot water operation and vice versa.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the heat management system includes a control device which is connected to the diverter valve via a signal conductor and is configured to switch the heat management system between heating operation, in which the diverter valve is in the first switching position, and hot water operation, in which the diverter valve is in the second switching position. The switching of the heat management system between hot water operation and heating operation, and vice versa, can thus be automated via the control device.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the buffer storage tank has a storage volume of 80 to 120 liters, in particular 90 to 110 liters. Compared to systems known from the prior art, which use large buffer storage tanks with storage volumes of 300 liters and more, such a small storage volume offers several advantages. Firstly, the volume can be heated more quickly, and secondly, such a storage volume requires less installation space and less energy to maintain the storage volume at a specific temperature as needed.

[0033] At the same time, the aforementioned storage volume has proven to be particularly suitable for achieving hydraulic decoupling between the heat pump circuit and the heating circuit and, in combination with the additional heating device, for providing a high level of domestic hot water comfort in domestic hot water operation.

[0034] According to one embodiment, a tap sensor and a temperature sensor for target temperature control are assigned to the domestic hot water supply line. The temperature sensor is configured to detect a draw-off of drinking water and cause the control system to switch the diverter valve to the second switching position. In other words, if a draw-off process is detected by the tap sensor, the diverter valve is moved to the second switching position, so that the entire heat management system switches to domestic hot water operating mode.

[0035] According to one embodiment, the heat management system has an external heat source supply connection, which is fluid-conductingly connected to a supply fluid inlet of the buffer storage tank and the heat exchanger, and an external heat source return connection, which is fluid-conductingly connected to the return fluid outlet of the buffer storage tank and the heat pump return connection. The external heat source supply connection and the external heat source return connection open the system to additional heat sources, e.g., existing fossil fuel heat generators such as gas or oil and / or solid fuel boilers, solar thermal systems, and the like.

[0036] The thermal energy provided by such systems can also be stored in the buffer tank and used for heating and domestic hot water supply. Depending on the configuration and output, the additional heating element in the domestic hot water supply line can even be optionally omitted. This measure increases the overall modularity of the heat management system. It can thus be integrated into fossil fuel heating systems that are, for example, to be retrofitted with a heat pump. Overall, this results in a particularly flexible heat management system that remains very compact and easy to install, even with the additional connection option. The heating element in the domestic hot water supply line is omitted if an existing domestic hot water system is to continue to be used.

[0037] According to one embodiment, a third circulation pump and / or a mixing device is arranged between the external heat source supply connection and the second supply fluid inlet of the buffer storage tank. This mixing device is configured to connect the external heat source supply connection to the external heat source return connection. The third circulation pump serves, in particular, to circulate the fluid through the additional heating circuit of the external heat source. The mixing device enables the integration of high supply temperatures exceeding 65°C, such as those generated by wood-fired boilers, into the heat management system while simultaneously protecting the heat pump from overheating.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the buffer storage tank has an electric heating element. This electric heating can be activated to raise the buffer storage tank to a specific temperature level or to ensure that such a level is maintained, particularly when the heat pump cannot be operated or when the heating output provided by the heat pump is insufficient to reach a specific temperature level in the buffer storage tank. The electric heating ensures heating operation in the event of a heat pump failure. This provides frost protection for the building and avoids costly emergency service calls. Customer service calls can be planned and carried out efficiently. Excess electricity from photovoltaic systems can thus be stored in the buffer storage tank in the form of heat.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the flow fluid inlets are arranged in an upper third of the total height of the buffer storage tank and / or the return fluid outlet in a lower third of the total height of the buffer storage tank. This ensures optimized thermal stratification within the buffer storage tank.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the heat exchanger is designed as a plate heat exchanger. Such a plate heat exchanger has a large heat transfer surface area and has therefore proven suitable for the intended application.

[0041] According to one embodiment, the control device is configured to increase the target temperature for the buffer storage tank and the heat pump during domestic hot water operation. Such an increase in the target temperature can contribute to improved domestic hot water comfort and increase the efficiency of the system during domestic hot water operation.

[0042] If the target temperature in the hot water storage tank is increased during hot water operation, more heat is available in the buffer tank for domestic hot water preparation. This increases the proportion of the heat pump's heating output used for domestic hot water preparation. For example, with the heat management system according to the invention, during a shower with an average duration of eleven minutes, a flow rate of 8.5 liters per minute, and an outlet temperature of 38°C, domestic hot water preparation can be carried out in such a way that 90% of the energy required is supplied by the heat pump and only 10% by the additional heating system.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the control device is configured to reduce the target temperature for the buffer storage tank and the heat pump during heating operation. This ensures particularly efficient heating operation.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the control device is configured to temporarily increase the target temperature in the buffer storage tank, particularly during periods of increased domestic hot water demand. Preferably, the corresponding control system is based on artificial intelligence and / or pattern recognition. For example, the control system can analyze user behavior and proactively increase the target temperature in the buffer storage tank during periods when users typically have increased domestic hot water demand, such as during showering, before these events are predicted to occur. This can further increase the overall efficiency of the system.

[0045] The control system for the heat management system is preferably equipped with a heat monitoring system that informs the operator about consumption, user behavior and optimization potential.

[0046] The invention has been described above with reference to a thermal management system. In a further aspect, the invention relates to a heating system with a thermal management system and a heat pump connected to the thermal management system. The invention solves the problem with regard to the heating system by designing the thermal management system according to one of the above embodiments.

[0047] The heating system utilizes the same advantages and preferred embodiments as the thermal management system according to the invention, and vice versa. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the above submissions, the content of which is hereby incorporated.

[0048] In a further aspect, the invention relates to the use of a heat management system according to one of the preceding embodiments for a single-family or multi-family house. This use also takes advantage of the same benefits and preferred embodiments as the heat management system and the heating system according to the invention, and vice versa. To avoid repetition, reference is made to the above submissions, and their content is hereby incorporated.

[0049] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures. These figures show: Fig. 1A-D Exemplary embodiments of a heating system according to the invention, each with a heat management system according to the invention, in a schematic representation; Fig. 2 an alternative embodiment of a heating system according to the invention with a heat management system according to the invention in a schematic representation.

[0050] Figure 1A Figure 1 shows a heating system 100. Heating system 100 includes a heat management system 2 and a heat pump 4 connected to heat management system 2. A residential heating system 34 is connected to heat management system 2. Furthermore, an exemplary domestic hot water consumer 26 is fluid-conductingly connected to heat management system 2; several domestic hot water consumers 26 can also be connected to heat management system 2. In addition, heat management system 2 is fluid-conductingly connected to a domestic hot water supply 60.

[0051] The heat management system 2 includes a buffer storage tank 6. The buffer storage tank 6 has a flow fluid inlet 8, a return fluid outlet 10, and a second flow fluid inlet 12. The flow fluid inlet 8 can be connected to a flow 16 of a heat pump 4 via a heat pump flow connection 14. The return fluid outlet 10 can be connected to a return 20 of the heat pump 4 via a heat pump return connection 18.

[0052] The heat management system 2 further features a residential heating supply connection 30 and a residential heating return connection 32 for connecting the residential heating system 34. The residential heating supply connection 30 is fluid-conductingly connected to the supply fluid inlet 8 of the buffer storage tank 6 and the storage tank supply connection 12. The residential heating return connection 32 is fluid-conductingly connected to the return fluid outlet 10 of the buffer storage tank 6 and the heat pump return connection 18.

[0053] As in Figure 1AAs shown, the heat management system 2 is enclosed in a housing 46. The buffer storage tank 6 and the described connections allow for hydraulic decoupling between the circuit connected to the heat pump 4 and the circuit connected to the space heating 34 during heating operation of the heat management system 2. This means that the corresponding flow temperatures and volume flows of the two circuits can differ, enabling both the space heating and the heat pump to operate within their optimal operating ranges.

[0054] The heat management system 2 further comprises a heat exchanger 22, which is fluidly connected to the second flow fluid inlet 12 of the buffer storage tank 6. The heat exchanger 22 is configured to transfer thermal energy from the hot water supplied via the second flow fluid inlet 12. The heat management system 2 further comprises a domestic hot water supply line 24, which can be connected to a domestic hot water consumer 26. The domestic hot water supply line 24 is connected to the heat exchanger 22. The heat exchanger 22 is configured to transfer thermal energy from the hot water supplied from the second flow fluid inlet 12 to the domestic hot water flowing through the domestic hot water supply line 24. The heat management system 2 further comprises a heating device 28.The heating unit 28 is arranged downstream of the heat exchanger 22 and the domestic hot water supply line 24 in the direction of flow and is designed to heat the domestic hot water. This achieves a cascaded domestic hot water heating system. Initially, an attempt is made to heat the domestic hot water using the heat exchanger 22. If this is not entirely successful, the heating unit 28 can be activated to ensure a high level of domestic hot water comfort. The heat management system 2 also optionally includes an electrical energy storage unit 62, which is designed to store electrical energy and supply the heating unit 28 with electrical energy.

[0055] A first circulation pump 36 is arranged between the return fluid outlet 10 and the heat pump return connection 18. Furthermore, a second circulation pump 38 is arranged downstream of the space heating return connection 32 in the direction of flow.

[0056] The heat pump return connection 18 is fluid-conductingly connected to the space heating return connection 32 via a diverter valve 40 in a first switching position S1 of the diverter valve 40. The heat pump return connection 18 is also fluid-conductingly connected to the heat exchanger 22 in a second switching position S2 of the diverter valve 40. The heat management system 2 has a control unit 42. The control unit 42 is signal-conductingly connected to the diverter valve 40. The control unit 42 is configured to switch the heat management system 2 between heating operation, in which the diverter valve 40 is in the first switching position S1, and domestic hot water operation, in which the diverter valve 40 is in the second switching position S2. In heating operation, the heat pump 4 is fluid-conductingly connected to the space heating system 34 via the buffer storage tank 6.In hot water operation, the heat pump 4 is connected to the heat exchanger 22 via the intermediate buffer storage tank 6, so that the energy can be transferred to the drinking water supplied to the heat exchanger 22 via the heat exchanger 22.

[0057] According to one embodiment, the buffer storage tank 6 has a storage volume of 80 l to 120 l, in particular 90 l to 110 l. Such a volume enables a compact design of the heat management system 2. A draw-off sensor 44 is assigned to the domestic hot water supply line 24. The draw-off sensor 44 is configured to detect a withdrawal of domestic hot water and to cause the control device 42 to switch the diverter valve 40 to the second switching position S2.

[0058] The heat management system 2 also optionally features an external heat source supply connection 48, which is fluidly connected to the second supply fluid inlet 12 of the buffer storage tank 6 and the heat exchanger 22. The heat management system 2 also features an external heat source return connection 50, which is fluidly connected to the return fluid inlet 10 of the buffer storage tank 6 and the heat pump return connection 18. Additional external heat sources, such as a fossil fuel heating system or a solar thermal system, can be connected to the heat management system 2 via the external heat source supply connection 48 and the external heat source return connection 50.

[0059] The buffer storage tank 6 has an electric heater 56, which enables additional heating of the volume contained in the buffer storage tank 6. The second flow fluid inlet 12 and the flow fluid inlet 8 are located in the upper third of the total height H of the buffer storage tank 6. The return fluid outlet 10 is located in the lower third of the total height H of the buffer storage tank 6. The heat exchanger 22 is designed as a plate heat exchanger.

[0060] The control unit 42 is configured to increase the target temperature for the buffer storage tank 6 and the heat pump 4 during domestic hot water operation. The control unit 42 is also configured to decrease the target temperature for the buffer storage tank 6 and the heat pump 4 during heating operation. Furthermore, the control unit 42 is configured to temporarily increase the target temperature in the buffer storage tank 6, particularly during periods of increased domestic hot water demand. The control unit (42) regulates the domestic hot water target temperature via a temperature sensor (78).

[0061] In this respect, the heating unit 28 heats the domestic hot water to the desired target temperature Z. The heat storage unit 22 preheats the water V.

[0062] Figure 1B shows an alternative embodiment of a thermal management system 2 according to the invention, which largely corresponds to the embodiment of the Figure 1Acorresponds. The exemplary embodiment of the Figure 1BIt does not contain a heating device 28 or an associated electrical energy storage device 62. Instead, a fossil fuel heat generator 64 is provided, which is connected both to the second flow fluid inlet 12 and thus to the buffer storage tank 6, and to the heat exchanger 22. Furthermore, a preheating heat exchanger 66 is provided. The preheating heat exchanger 66 is connected to the flow fluid inlet 8 and, via the heat pump flow connection 14, to the heat pump 4. In addition, the preheating heat exchanger 66 is connected to the domestic hot water inlet 60 and, via a line 68, to the heat exchanger 22.The thermal energy provided by the heat pump 4 can thus be used to preheat potable water supplied via the potable water inlet 60 using the preheating heat exchanger 66. This preheated water is then fed to the heat exchanger 22, where the fossil fuel boiler 64 heats the potable water to the desired target temperature. In this respect, the preheating heat exchanger 66 performs the preheating V, and the heat exchanger 22 performs the target heating Z. The preheating V using the preheating heat exchanger 66 takes place on the so-called primary side. The target heating Z takes place on the so-called secondary side.

[0063] Furthermore, the functionality of the in the Figure 1B The illustrated embodiment of the thermal management system 2 is incorporated into the embodiment of the Figure 1A based on, so that to avoid repetition regarding the components not discussed in detail here, reference is made to the above statements on Figure 1A is referred.

[0064] Figure 1C Figure 1 shows a further alternative embodiment of a thermal management system 2 according to the invention, which also largely corresponds to the embodiment of the Figure 1AThis corresponds to the following embodiment. In this embodiment, preheating V is carried out with the aid of the heat exchanger 22. The heat exchanger 22 is connected to the buffer storage tank 6 via the second flow fluid inlet 12. The heat exchanger 22 is also connected to the potable water inlet 60 and is configured to preheat the supplied potable water using energy supplied to the heat exchanger 22, in the manner of preheating V. The preheated potable water is supplied via a line 68 to a target heating heat exchanger 70 and from there reaches a potable water consumer 26 via the potable water supply line 24. The target heating heat exchanger 70 is connected to the fossil fuel heat generator 64 via the line 76.The heat energy generated by the fossil fuel boiler 64 can thus be supplied to the target heating heat exchanger 70, enabling it to heat the domestic hot water to the desired target temperature according to the method of target heating Z. The controller 42 regulates the target domestic hot water temperature via the temperature sensor 78.

[0065] The fossil fuel boiler 64 can also be connected to the space heating system 34 via line 76, so that the generated heat energy can also be used for space heating. A pump 72 and a diverter valve 74 are arranged upstream of the fossil fuel boiler 64. The diverter valve 74 serves to direct the fluid heated by the fossil fuel boiler 64 to the target heating heat exchanger 70 or to the space heating system 30.

[0066] In the Figure 1D The embodiment shown is different from the embodiment of the Figure 1Cthe position of the preheating heat exchanger 66 analogous to the Figure 1B selected. In this respect, the drinking water supply 60 is connected to the preheating heat exchanger 66 for the purpose of preheating V. Based on the energy supplied, in particular by the heat pump 4, the supplied drinking water is preheated in the preheating heat exchanger 66, and then flows via line 68 to the target heating heat exchanger, which otherwise operates as described in Figure 1C is described and configured.

[0067] In Figure 1C Both preheating V and target heating Z are arranged on the secondary side. In the Figure 1D The preheating V is arranged on the primary side and the target heating Z on the secondary side.

[0068] Figure 2 shows an alternative embodiment of a thermal management system 2 according to the invention, which largely corresponds to the embodiment of the Figure 1A corresponds. In the exemplary embodiment of the Figure 2It is assumed that an external heating system is connected to the heat management system 2 via the external heat source supply connection 48 and the external heat source return connection 50, in addition to the heat pump 4. This can be a fossil fuel heating system or a system that utilizes solar energy. Due to the additional energy supply via the external heat source supply connection 48, the provision of a heating device 28 is no longer necessary. Furthermore, in the exemplary embodiment of the Figure 2 A third circulation pump 52 is arranged between the external heat source supply connection 48 and the second fluid inlet 12 of the buffer storage tank 6. A fourth circulation pump 58 is provided adjacent to the potable water inlet 60 for transporting the potable water.

[0069] Furthermore, a mixing device 54 is provided, which is fluidly connected to the external heat source supply connection 48 and the external heat source return connection 50. The mixing device 54 is designed to connect the external heat source supply connection 48 to the external heat source return connection 50. The mixing device 54 can be designed to be shut off, for example, in the form of a three-way mixing valve. The functionality of the [unclear text] is otherwise [unclear text]. Figure 2 The illustrated embodiment of the thermal management system 2 is adapted to the embodiment of the Figure 1A based on the above statements to avoid repetition. Figure 1A is referred. Reference symbol list

[0070] 2 Heat management system 4 Heat pump 6 Buffer tank 8 Flow fluid inlet 10 Return fluid outlet 12 (Second) Flow fluid inlet 14 Heat pump flow connection 16 Heat pump flow 18 Heat pump return connection 20 Heat pump return 22 Heat exchanger 24 Domestic hot water supply line 26 Domestic hot water consumer 28 Heating system 30 Living space heating flow connection 32 Living space heating return connection 34 Living space heating 36 First circulation pump 38 Second circulation pump 40 Diverter valve 42 Control unit 44 Draw-off sensor 46 Housing 48 External heat source flow connection 50 External heat source return connection 52 Third circulation pump 54 Mixing device 56 Electric heating of the buffer storage tank 58 Fourth circulation pump 60 Domestic hot water inlet 62 Electric energy storage 64 Fossil fuel heat generator 66 Preheating heat exchanger 68 Line with preheated fluid 70 Target heating heat exchanger 72 Pump 74 Diverter valve 76 Line 78 Temperature sensor 100 Heating system H Total height of theBuffer storage S1 first switching position S2 second switching position V preheating Z target heating

Claims

1. Heat management system (2), which is configured for connection to a heat pump (4), comprising a buffer storage tank (6) with at least one flow fluid inlet (8) and at least one return fluid outlet (10), wherein the flow fluid inlet (8) can be fluidly connected to a flow (16) of a heat pump (4) via a heat pump flow connection (14), and the return fluid outlet (10) can be fluidly connected to a return (20) of the heat pump (4) via a heat pump return connection (18), wherein the heat management system (2) further comprises a space heating flow connection (30) and a space heating return connection (32) for connecting a space heating system (34), wherein the space heating flow connection (30) is fluidly connected to the flow fluid inlet (8) or another flow fluid inlet of the buffer storage tank (6) and the heat pump flow connection (14) is connected,and wherein the space heating return connection (32) is fluid-conductingly connected to the return fluid outlet (10) or another return fluid outlet of the buffer storage tank (6) and the heat pump return connection (18), and wherein the heat management system (2) is enclosed in a housing (46).

2. Heat management system (2) according to claim 1, wherein the heat management system (2) comprises a heat exchanger (22) which is fluidly connected to a supply fluid inlet (12), in particular a second supply fluid inlet (12) of the buffer storage tank (6), and which is configured to transfer heat energy of the hot water supplied from the supply fluid inlet (12), and a domestic hot water supply line (24) which can be connected to a domestic hot water consumer (26), wherein the domestic hot water supply line (24) is connected to the heat exchanger (22), and wherein the heat exchanger (22) is configured to transfer heat energy of the hot water supplied from the supply fluid inlet (12) to domestic hot water flowing through the domestic hot water supply line (24).

3. Heat management system (2) according to claim 2, comprising a heating device (28) which is arranged downstream of the heat exchanger (22) in the direction of flow on the domestic hot water supply line (24) and is configured to heat the domestic hot water.

4. Thermal management system (2) according to claim 3, wherein the thermal management system (2) comprises an electrical energy storage device (62) which is configured to store electrical energy and supply the heating device (28) with electrical energy, in particular wherein the electrical energy storage device (62) has a storage capacity of at least one kilowatt hour, preferably 1.5 to 3 kilowatt hours.

5. Heat management system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a first circulation pump (36) is arranged between the return fluid outlet (10) and the heat pump return connection (18) and / or wherein a second circulation pump (38) is arranged downstream in the direction of flow to the space heating return connection (32).

6. Heat management system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat pump return connection (18) is fluidly connected to the space heating return connection (32) via a diverting valve (40) in a first switching position (S1) of the diverting valve (40), and wherein the heat pump return connection (18) is further fluidly connected to the heat exchanger (22) in a second switching position (S2) of the diverting valve (40).

7. Heat management system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a control device (42) which is connected to the switching valve (40) via a signal conductor and is configured to switch the heat management system (2) between a heating operation in which the switching valve (40) is in the first switching position (S1) and a hot water operation in which the switching valve (40) is in the second switching position (S2).

8. Heat management system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the buffer storage tank (6) has a storage volume of 80 l to 120 l, in particular 90 l to 110 l.

9. Heat management system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a tap sensor (44) is assigned to the domestic hot water supply line (24), which is configured to detect a withdrawal of drinking water and to cause the control device (42) to switch the diverter valve (40) to the second switching position (S2).

10. Heat management system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising an external heat source supply connection (48) which is fluidly connected to the second fluid inlet (12) of the buffer storage tank (6) and the heat exchanger (22), and an external heat source return connection (50) which is fluidly connected to the return fluid inlet (8) of the buffer storage tank (6) and the heat pump return connection (18).

11. Heat management system (2) according to claim 10, wherein a third circulation pump (52) and / or a mixing device (54) is arranged between the external heat source supply connection (48) and the second supply fluid inlet (12) of the buffer storage tank (6).

12. Heat management system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the buffer storage tank (6) has an electric heating element (56), and / or wherein the second flow fluid inlet (12) and the flow fluid inlet (8) are arranged in an upper third of the total height (H) of the buffer storage tank (6) and / or the return fluid outlet (10) is arranged in a lower third of the total height (H) of the buffer storage tank (6).

13. Heat management system (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the heat exchanger (22) is designed as a plate heat exchanger, and / or wherein the control device (42) is configured to: - increase a target temperature for the buffer storage tank (6) and the heat pump (4) in hot water operation and / or - reduce a target temperature for the buffer storage tank (6) and the heat pump (4) in heating operation and / or - temporarily increase the target temperature in the buffer storage tank (6), in particular during periods of increased domestic hot water demand.

14. Heating system (100) comprising a heat management system (2) and a heat pump (4) connected to the heat management system (2), wherein the heat management system (2) is configured according to one of the preceding claims.

15. Use of a heat management system (2) according to one of the preceding claims for a single-family or multi-family house.

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