Close-coupled catalytic converter

Abstract

A close-coupled catalytic converter according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes: a front catalyst and a rear catalyst that are cylindrically shaped, coated with a metal catalyst, and disposed separately from each other; and a catalyst cover including an upper shell and a lower shell, and the upper and lower shells are semi-cylindrically shaped, wherein an end of the catalyst cover is connected with a front muffler pipe that is connected with an exhaust manifold and the other end of the catalyst cover is connected with a rear muffler pipe that emits an exhaust gas. The structures of a shell for a catalyst and for configuration of an oxygen sensor are simplified so that manufacturing process and cost are reduced and purifying performance is enhanced. Since back pressure is reduced, engine performance is enhanced.

1 . A close-coupled catalytic converter comprising:
 a front catalyst and a rear catalyst that are cylindrically shaped, coated with a metal catalyst, and disposed separately from each other; and   a catalyst cover comprising an upper shell that covers an upper part of the front catalyst and the rear catalyst, and a lower shell that covers a lower part of the front catalyst and the rear catalyst, and the upper and lower shells are semi-cylindrically shaped,   wherein an end of the catalyst cover is connected with a front muffler pipe that is connected with an exhaust manifold and the other end of the catalyst cover is connected, with a rear muffler pipe that emits exhaust gas.   
     
     
         2 . The close-coupled catalytic converter of  claim 1 , wherein an oxygen sensor is disposed between the front catalyst and the rear catalyst. 
     
     
         3 . The close-coupled catalytic converter of  claim 2 , wherein the oxygen sensor is inserted into an oxygen sensor boss that is formed along a circumference shape of the upper shell and the lower shell so that one edge of the oxygen sensor boss is longer than the other edge. 
     
     
         4 . The close-coupled catalytic converter of  claim 3 , wherein the oxygen sensor boss has an internal surface that is manufactured according to a configuration angle of the oxygen sensor. 
     
     
         5 . The close-coupled catalytic converter of  claim 1 , wherein a diameter of the front catalyst is a first predetermined length in order not to interfere with an assembly tool for assembling the lower shell and the front muffler pipe. 
     
     
         6 . The close-coupled catalytic converter of  claim 5 , wherein the front catalyst is disposed near to the front muffler pipe at a second predetermined length in order to reduce a time to reach a temperature of activating the catalyst. 
     
     
         7 . The close-coupled catalytic converter of  claim 1 , wherein a length of the front catalyst is shorter than that of the rear catalyst. 
     
     
         8 . The close-coupled catalytic converter of  claim 1 , wherein the front catalyst comprises a first coating portion and a second, coating portion that are coated with a different amount and a different kind of a metal catalyst respectively. 
     
     
         9 . The close-coupled catalytic converter of  claim 1 , wherein the catalyst cover is protrusive at the front catalyst and the rear catalyst,
 and the catalyst cover is concaved at a front part of the front catalyst, at a rear part of the rear catalyst, and at a part between the front catalyst and the rear catalyst.