Honda Motor Co., Ltd.

Kimihito Hayakawa

Kohki Sugawara

Shuichi Uchiyama

Katsuhiro Shibata

Ryoichi Ishikawa

The present invention provides a front end structure in which cooling performance can be improved. A front end structure according to an aspect of the present invention includes a frame portionthat surrounds an outer circumferential part of a heat exchanger and supports the heat exchanger; a duct portionthat is connected to an inner circumferential edge of the frame portionand guides outside air, which is taken in through a first introduction port, in at least an up-down direction through a space between the duct portionand a front surface of the heat exchanger; and a division portionthat is provided in at least one of the frame portionand the duct portionand partitions the heat exchanger into a heat exchange area in which outside air is able to pass through in a front-rear direction and a support area which is positioned on a side circumferentially outward from the heat exchange area and is supported by the frame portion

Front end structure

What is provided is a front end structure which can secure a strength and rigidity of a frame portion and reduce a weight thereof. The front end structure includes a frame portion (), a vehicle body mounting portion (), and a duct portion (). The frame portion is formed to cover outer peripheral portions of a radiator and a condenser disposed in front of the vehicle body. The vehicle body mounting portion is provided on the frame portion and is connected to a front end of a front side frame () which extends in a forward and rearward direction of a vehicle body. The duct portion is continuous with the front end of the frame portion, and at least a part thereof is disposed above the vehicle body mounting portion and forms a continuous flow path between the duct portion and the condenser in a vertical direction. The frame portion, the vehicle body mounting portion, and the duct portion are integrally formed.

An aluminum plate () is first plastic-deformed (FIG.D) in such a way as to envelop a foaming-agent compact (), which is not foamed yet. Then, terminals of the aluminum plate () are integrally seam-welded (FIG.E) to thereby obtain a closed section structure (). Subsequently, the foaming-agent compact () contained in the closed section structure () is foamed by being heated to foaming temperature thereof. Consequently, a pipe-like frame filled with a foam () is obtained.

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Wako, Japan

Kimihito Hayakawa