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Car manufacturers are continually seeking efficiency. Not just in fuel consumption, but efficiency in components, expenses, materials, and exploring numerous potential functions for a single component. In this pursuit, Honda has lodged a patent for a spiral exhaust tube that will serve as an emission outlet and a protective shield.
In the patent initially mentioned by Carbuzz, Honda puts forward a coiled segment of the exhaust in place of the typical muffler. The patent also displays a muffler located inside the coiled segment, resembling a spiral fry at the rear of the vehicle. Interestingly, the muffler portion appears to be positioned in a manner that could serve dual purposes as a protective shield instead of a plastic panel or a mudflap. Though in other illustrations within the same patent document, it appears quite detached and may not fulfill that function.
Ekaterina Gorbacheva
The text of the patent discusses the potential savings in cost and environmental impact on materials by utilizing the exhaust tube for two functions but also acknowledges that the tube may require a protective covering made of lightweight material to prevent deformation from cold water contacting the hot metal. According to the patent, the muffler can handle the brunt of any water splashing.
Moreover, the patent appearance closely resembles the exhaust design utilized on the current Honda Civic Si, which Honda asserts was for enhanced flow while offering better optimized sound reduction. Presently, it is solely featured on the Si model, and the spiral fry design facilitates a 27% increase in exhaust flow. Additionally, the mufflers on the Si are exposed to water splashes while having a marginally smaller rear protective shield to compensate.
Honda has implemented this technology on the Civic Si for a few years, although it appears that the patent was recently filed. Hopefully, this has shed light on the coiled mystery of Honda’s exhaust.
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