Structure of front portion of vehicle body

#The present disclosure relates to the subject matter contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2002-109600 filed on Apr. 11, 2002, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

#1. [Field of the Invention]

#This invention relates to a structure of a front portion of a vehicle body.

#The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent by describing in detail preferred exemplary embodiments thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

#FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is an exploded, perspective view showing a side portion of an upper member in the first embodiment of the invention;

#Referring now to the accompanying drawings, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention.

#In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a radiator core support member 1 for mounting and supporting a heat exchanger, such as a condenser and a radiator, thereon. The support member 1 includes an upper member 2, a lower member 3, side stay portions 4 provided respectively at opposite (right and left) side portions of the support member 1, and a hood lock stay 5 provided at a central portion of the support member 1. The side stay portions 4 and the hood lock stay 5 interconnect the upper member 2 and lower member 3.

#In a first embodiment, the upper member 2 is divided into a center portion 2A and two opposite side portions 2B. Each of the center portion 2A and the side portions 2B is made of light metal such as aluminum. For example, the center portion 2A is extruded to have a rectangular cross-section, and the side portions 2B are fitted and fixedly secured by welding or the like respectively onto opposite end portions of the center portion 2A. Each of a rear end portion of the side portions 2B is connected to a front end portion of a hood ridge member (not shown).