| 摘要 |
A catalytic converter includes a housing 12, a honeycomb heater 20 mounted inside the housing 12, and a catalytic element 30 disposed downstream of the honeycomb heater 20. The honeycomb heater 20 has a first honeycomb structure 22 made of metal having first partition walls forming a number of first throughholes, and at least one electrode 28 for electrifying the first honeycomb structure 22. The catalytic element 30 mounted inside the housing 12 and disposed downstream of the honeycomb heater 20 has a second honeycomb structure 32 having second partition walls forming a number of second throughholes, and a catalytic compound loaded on the second honeycomb structure 32. A horizontal cross-section of the honeycomb structure 22 is made smaller than that of the honeycomb structure 32. Further, a gap G between an outflow end surface 22t of the honeycomb structure 22 and an inflow end surface 32s of the honeycomb structure 32 is made large. With this catalytic converter, durability of a honeycomb structure, particularly resistance against vibrations extending over a long period of time can be improved with maintaining an exhaust gas purification ability under severe conditions during driving an automobile. Further, temperature of a honeycomb heater can be raised in a short period of time. <IMAGE> |
