Vehicle ceiling structure

A groove extends in a vehicle longitudinal direction in a roof side garnish positioned on a terminal portion of a ceiling portion. As a result, a curved surface appears to be divided into a curved surface on a center side of the ceiling portion and a curved surface on a terminal portion side of the ceiling portion. Consequently, an illusion in which the ceiling portion appears as though it were divided into the center side and the terminal side of the ceiling portion. As a result, the cabin space appears spacious, so an occupant is able to feel less closed in.

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

The disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2014-167835 filed on Aug. 20, 2014 including the specification, drawings and abstract is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a vehicle ceiling structure.

2. Description of Related Art

The amount of the cabin space in a compact car is limited by the external size of the car, so it is desirable to make the cabin space feel not so closed in. Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-014264 (JP 2013-014264 A), for example, describes technology that makes the cabin space feel more spacious in perspective from the inside toward the outside in the vehicle width direction, by changing the dimensions in the vehicle width direction and the vertical direction of a design surface of an instrument panel, and changing the size of the grains (i.e., embossing) formed on the design surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One way to obtain a more spacious feeling in the cabin is to widen the ceiling surface in the cabin toward the cabin outside (i.e., upward in the vehicle vertical direction and outward in the vehicle width direction). This may make the cabin space feel less closed in.

However, in addition to curtain airbags and wire harnesses and the like being provided on the reverse side (outside the cabin) of a roof headlining, it is not easy to expand the ceiling surface in the cabin toward the vehicle cabin outside. Also, parts such as assist grips are also arranged on the ceiling surface inside the cabin, and these parts may also give an occupant a closed-in feeling.

The invention thus provides a vehicle ceiling structure capable of making an occupant feel less closed-in by making the space inside the cabin appear more spacious.

A first aspect of the invention relates to a ceiling structure for a vehicle. This ceiling structure includes a ceiling portion and a groove. The ceiling portion forms a ceiling surface of a cabin space of the vehicle. The ceiling portion is formed such that a terminal side is lower in a vehicle vertical direction than a center side. The groove is provided in a vehicle longitudinal direction on at least the terminal side on an outside of the ceiling portion in a vehicle width direction. The groove is recessed upward in the vehicle vertical direction and outward in a horizontal direction.

A ceiling portion is formed with a curved surface that is continuous from the center side to the terminal side. In contrast, in the invention, a groove is formed on the terminal side of the ceiling portion, so the curved surface appears as though it were divided into the center side and the terminal side of the ceiling portion. As a result, an illusion (an optical effect) in which the ceiling portion appears to an occupant to be formed by two portions is able to be created. By creating an illusion in which there appears to be yet another ceiling portion to the outside of the inside edge portion of the groove positioned on the center side of the ceiling portion, the ceiling portion appears to extend out by a corresponding amount to the outside in the horizontal direction (i.e., to the outside in the vehicle width direction).

The vehicle ceiling structure according to the above aspect has a beneficial effect in which the space inside the cabin appears spacious, so an occupant is able to feel less closed in.

In the aspect described above, the groove may include an upper wall portion. This upper wall portion may be positioned on an upper side of the groove in the vehicle vertical direction. Also, the upper wall portion may be provided in the cabin space of the vehicle so as to be hidden from view of a seated occupant seated on a seat.

In the structure described above, the upper wall portion of the groove is set so as to be hidden from view of a seated occupant seated on a seat. Therefore, the curved surface appears to be completely divided into the center side of the ceiling portion and the terminal side of the ceiling portion, with the groove in between.

The vehicle ceiling structure according to the above structure has a beneficial effect in which an illusion in which the ceiling portion is formed by two portions is able to be created.

In the structures described above, the groove may include a far wall portion. This far wall portion may be positioned on the terminal side of the ceiling portion. Also, the far wall portion may be provided in the cabin space of the vehicle so as to be visibly recognizable by a seated occupant seated on a seat.

In this structure, the far wall portion of the groove is set so as to be visibly recognizable by the seated occupant seated on the seat. Therefore, the curved surface appears to be divided into the center side of the ceiling portion and the terminal side of the ceiling portion, with the groove in between, and another wall (the far wall portion) is visibly recognizable on the terminal side of the ceiling portion.

The vehicle ceiling structure according to the above structure has a beneficial effect in which an illusion in which the cabin space seems spacious to a seated occupant is able to be effectively created.

In the structures described above, a protruding portion may be provided on an inside edge portion of the groove that is positioned on the center side of the ceiling portion. The protruding portion may protrude downward in the vehicle vertical direction.

In this structure, a protruding portion that protrudes downward in the vehicle vertical direction is formed on the inside edge portion of the groove that is positioned on the center side of the ceiling portion. Therefore, the inside of the groove becomes is shadowed by the protruding portion, so the color of the inside of the groove is darker than a general portion of the ceiling portion. As a result, the curved surface appears to be divided into the center side of the ceiling portion and the terminal side of the ceiling portion, with the groove in between.

The vehicle ceiling structure according to claim4has a beneficial effect in which an illusion in which the ceiling portion seems to be formed by two portions is able to be effectively created.

In the structure described above, an apex portion of the protruding portion may be arranged higher than a terminal portion of the ceiling portion in the vehicle vertical direction.

In this structure, the apex portion of the protruding portion is arranged higher than the terminal portion of the ceiling portion in the vehicle vertical direction. Therefore, the far wall portion of the groove is visually recognizable to the seated occupant. As a result, the curved surface appears to be divided into the center side of the ceiling portion and the terminal side of the ceiling portion, with the groove in between, and another wall (the far wall portion) is visibly recognizable on the terminal side of the ceiling portion.

The vehicle ceiling structure according to the above structure has a beneficial effect in which an illusion in which the cabin space seems spacious to the seated occupant is able to be effectively created.

In the structures described above, an interior member provided on the terminal side of the ceiling portion may be housed inside of the groove.

In this structure, an interior member is housed in the groove. Therefore, the closed-in feeling due to the interior member being provided on the ceiling portion is able to be alleviated.

The vehicle ceiling structure according to the above structure has a beneficial effect in which the appearance of the ceiling surface is improved compared to when an interior member is exposed on the cabin space side.

In the structure described above, the interior member may be an assist grip for hooking a finger of a seated occupant seated on a seat onto.

In this structure, an assist grip for hooking a finger of a seated occupant onto is housed in the groove. Accordingly, the assist grip is not exposed on the cabin space side. Therefore, the closed-in feeling is able to be reduced compared to when a plurality of assist grips are exposed on the cabin space side.

The vehicle ceiling structure according to the above structure has a beneficial effect in which the appearance of the ceiling surface is improved compared to when a plurality of assist grips inside the cabin are exposed on the cabin space side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, a vehicle ceiling structure according to one example embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, arrow FR indicates a forward direction of a vehicle to which the vehicle ceiling structure10according to the example embodiment of the invention is applied, arrow UP indicates an upward direction with respect to the vehicle, arrow RH indicates a direction to the right of the vehicle, and arrow LH indicates a direction to the left of the vehicle. Hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, when directions of front and rear (longitudinal), up and down (vertical), and left and right (lateral) are used, they will refer to front and rear in a vehicle longitudinal direction, up and down in a vehicle vertical direction, and left and right when the vehicle is facing forward, respectively.

FIG. 1is a sectional view of the vehicle ceiling structure10according to this example embodiment cut along the vehicle width direction. As shown inFIG. 1, a pair of roof side rails14that are frame members of a vehicle11are provided one on each side in the vehicle width direction of a vehicle upper portion12. Only the right side of the vehicle11is shown here. Each roof side rail14is made of steel sheet, for example, and extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Also, each roof side rail14includes an inner panel16arranged on the inside in the vehicle width direction, and an outer panel18arranged on the outside in the vehicle width direction of the inner panel16.

Flange portions16A and16B are formed one on each end portion of the inner panel16in the vehicle width direction, and flange portions18A and18B are formed one on each end portion of the outer panel18in the vehicle width direction. The flange portions16A and16B of the inner panel16are joined to the flange portions18A and18B of the outer panel18, respectively, such that a closed sectional portion24is formed between the inner panel16and the outer panel18.

Further, a roof panel15that covers a cabin space (the space inside the cabin)26is provided on the vehicle upper portion12, and a flange portion15A is provided on both end portions of the roof panel15in the vehicle width direction. This flange portion15A is joined to a flange portion18A of the outer panel18at a joining portion20that is positioned on the inside of the roof side rail14in the vehicle width direction.

An opening trim25is attached to a joining portion22that is positioned on the outside of the roof side rail14in the vehicle width direction, along the extending direction of the joining portion22. With a sashless type window structure, water-tightness and air-tightness are able to be obtained by having an upper edge of a side window, not show, contact the opening trim25.

Here, with the vehicle ceiling structure10according to this example embodiment, a ceiling portion30that forms a ceiling surface28of the cabin space (the space inside the cabin)26includes a molded ceiling (a so-called roof headlining)32, and a roof side garnish34that extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction on both sides of the molded ceiling32in the vehicle width direction.

Typically, the roof side garnish34is arranged between the molded ceiling32and the roof side rail14, and is a member that is provided as an interior member in a region to the outside of an outer edge portion32A of the molded ceiling32in the vehicle width direction. However, in this example embodiment, the roof side garnish34is formed as part of the ceiling portion30.

Therefore, in this example embodiment, a terminal side of the ceiling portion30refers to the roof side garnish34. The molded ceiling32and the roof side garnish34are formed covering a cabin side surface of a substructure made of synthetic resin, for example, with a cover, not shown, and these appear integrated.

The molded ceiling32is a gently curved surface that protrudes upward in the vehicle width direction, and is formed such that the ratio of the dimension in the vehicle vertical direction to the dimension in the vehicle width direction is larger on the outer edge portion32A side than on the center side of the molded ceiling32. Moreover, a far wall portion44, described later, of the roof side garnish34is formed upright in the vehicle vertical direction, so the ratio of the dimension in the vehicle vertical direction to the dimension in the vehicle width direction at this far wall portion44is even greater than it is on the outer edge portion32A side of the molded ceiling32.

An airbag (so-called curtain airbag)36is provided between the roof side garnish34and the inner panel16of the roof side rail14. The airbag36is provided in a folded state along the roof side rail14, and is configured to be able to deploy in a curtain shape toward the cabin space26when supplied with inflation gas.

Here, in this example embodiment, a groove38is formed in the vehicle longitudinal direction in each of the two roof side garnishes34. The groove38is formed recessed upward in the vehicle vertical direction and outward in the vehicle width direction (horizontal direction). The sectional shape of the groove38when the groove38is cut in the vehicle width direction is a general U-shape that is open on the lower side (i.e., an inverted U-shape).

The groove38has a vertical wall portion40that is arranged on the inside in the vehicle width direction and is capable of retaining the outer edge portion32A of the molded ceiling32, an upper wall portion42that protrudes toward the outside in the vehicle width direction from an upper end portion of the vertical wall portion40, and a far wall portion44that extends downward from an outer end portion of the upper wall portion42and faces the vertical wall portion40.

A protruding portion46that protrudes downward in the vehicle vertical direction is formed on a lower end portion40A of the vertical wall portion40(i.e., on an inside edge portion of the groove38). This protruding portion46is formed continuous with the shape of the outer edge portion32A of the molded ceiling32in the vehicle width direction, and is substantially flush with the lower end portion40A of the vertical wall portion40of the groove38and the outer edge portion32A of the molded ceiling32in the vehicle width direction, when the outer edge portion32A of the molded ceiling32is engaged with the lower end portion40A of the vertical wall portion40.

The upper wall portion42is arranged higher than the outer edge portion32A of the molded ceiling32. This upper wall portion42is set so to be hidden from sight by the vertical wall portion40when viewed (chain double-dashed line P) by a seated occupant (hereinafter, simply referred to as “occupant”) of average build who is seated in a seat, not shown. Also, a lower end portion44A of the far wall portion44is arranged lower than (dimension H1) an apex portion46A of the protruding portion46positioned on the lower end portion40A of the vertical wall portion40. That is, at least a lower portion of the far wall portion44is exposed to the cabin space26side (i.e., is visibly recognizable from the cabin space26side).

FIG. 2is an exploded perspective view of a portion of the vehicle ceiling structure10that includes an assist grip64that will be described later. A plurality of body fixing seats48that are fixed to the roof side rail14side, and ceiling fixing seats50for fixing the molded ceiling32, are provided on the upper wall portion42, as shown inFIG. 2. In the described below, portions provided in plurality, such as the body fixing seats48and the ceiling fixing seats50, may be described in the singular to simplify the description and facilitate understanding. Although not shown, an integral hinge is provided on the far wall portion44. This integral hinge is designed to break when the airbag36(seeFIG. 1) deploys, so as not to impede deployment of the airbag36.

FIG. 3is a sectional view take along line III-III inFIG. 2when the parts are assembled. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 3, a generally angular tube-shaped mount52that protrudes upward and to the inside in the vehicle width direction from an upper surface42A of the upper wall portion42is provided on the ceiling fixing seat50. A plate-shaped seat portion54protrudes from the upper end portion of the mount52toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, and a hole54A through which a clip56is able to be inserted is formed in the center portion of this seat portion54.

Here, a clip seat32B is provided in the vertical direction on the back surface side (the cabin outside) of the molded ceiling32. The clip56is provided in the vertical direction on the clip seat32B. The clip56is held to the seat portion54of the ceiling fixing seat50by being inserted into the hole54A and engaged with the inside edge portion of the hole54A. As a result, the molded ceiling32is fixed to the roof side garnish34via this clip56.

Meanwhile, as shown inFIG. 2, a generally circular cylindrical mount58that protrudes upward from the upper surface42A of the upper wall portion42is provided on the body fixing seat48, and a hole58A into which a screw59(seeFIG. 4) is able to be inserted is formed in an upper end portion of this mount58. Also, a clip60is provided in the vertical direction on the body fixing seat48.FIG. 4is a sectional view take along line IV-IV inFIG. 2when the parts are assembled.

Here, as shown inFIG. 4, a plate-shaped bracket62is welded to a general surface16C of the inner panel16of the roof side rail14. The bracket62has a generally inverted L-shaped cross-section along the vehicle width direction, and one end portion62A of the bracket62is welded to the general surface16C of the inner panel16. Also, the other end portion62B of the bracket62is arranged protruding toward the inside in the vehicle width direction. A hole, not shown, into which the clip60is able to be inserted, and a hole62B1into which the screw59is able to be inserted, are each formed in the other end portion62B of the bracket62.

With the clip60inserted into the hole in the bracket62and held to the inside edge portion of this hole, not shown, the screw59is then able to be fastened to the bracket62via a weld nut63shown inFIG. 4. Having the screw59fastened to the bracket62in this way results in the roof side garnish34being fixed to the roof side rail14, and the molded ceiling32being fixed to the roof side rail14via the roof side garnish34.

FIG. 6is a bottom view of the vehicle ceiling structure10as viewed from below. As shown inFIGS. 2 and 6, an assist grip64that an occupant holds onto is able to be attached in a predetermined position in the vehicle longitudinal direction of the roof side garnish34, or more specifically, above a seat, not shown. In this example embodiment, the groove38is formed in the roof side garnish34, so the assist grip64is provided inside this groove38, as one interior member66.

For example, in the region where the assist grip64is provided, a far wall portion68of the groove38extends farther upward than the far wall portion44. A reinforcing bracket70of which a length direction is in the vehicle longitudinal direction is fixed to the far wall portion68.

More specifically, axial plates72arranged in a width direction orthogonal to the length direction are provided on one on each end portion of the reinforcing bracket70in the length direction. Fixing flanges70A protrude in directions away from each other from outer edge portions positioned on the outsides in the vehicle width direction (the plate thickness direction) of these axial plates. The reinforcing bracket70is fixed to the far wall portion68via these fixing flanges70A. Here, the reinforcing bracket70is made of synthetic resin, for example, but it may also be made of metal.

Also, two shafts74and76are provided one above the other along a curved surface88of the molded ceiling32in the vehicle longitudinal direction. Meanwhile, a plate-shaped finger striking portion78made of resin is arranged to the outside of the reinforcing bracket70in the vehicle width direction. Engaging portions80and82that engage with the shafts74and76are formed on the finger striking portion78. The finger striking portion78attaches to the reinforcing bracket70by engaging these engaging portions80and82with the shafts74and76.

FIG. 5is a sectional view take along line V-V inFIG. 2when the parts are assembled. As shown inFIG. 5, a finger striking surface84is formed recessed toward the inside in the vehicle width direction, on the finger striking portion78. A protruding portion86that protrudes upward is provided on a lower portion of the finger striking portion78. When fingers of the occupant strike the finger striking surface84, they catch on this protruding portion86. Cushion material or the like may be adhered to the surface of the finger striking portion78.

FIG. 7is a schematic sectional view taken along line VII-VII inFIG. 6. As shown inFIGS. 1 and 7, in this example embodiment, the groove38extends in the vehicle longitudinal direction in the roof side garnish34positioned on a terminal portion30A of the ceiling portion30. Typically, the curved surface the ceiling portion30is formed continuous from the center side to the terminal portion30A side. In contrast, in this example embodiment, the groove38is formed in the roof side garnish34that is positioned on the terminal portion30A side of the ceiling portion30, so the curved surface88appears as though it is divided into a curved surface88A on the center side of the ceiling portion30, and a curved surface88B on the terminal portion30A side of the ceiling portion30.

In particular, the portion where the groove38is formed is darkened (shadowed), and thus ends up being darker than the other portion of the ceiling portion30(i.e., a general portion that is a ceiling portion90) due to the groove38being formed in the roof side garnish34. Also, the upper wall portion42of the groove38is set so as to be out of the line of sight (chain double-dashed line P) of the occupant, so the far wall portion44is able to be visually recognized at the back of the groove38.

Therefore, when the curved surface88appears to be divided into the curved surface88A on the center side of the ceiling portion30, and the curved surface88B on the terminal portion30A side of the ceiling portion30, an illusion in which the ceiling portion30appears to be formed by two parts (i.e., a ceiling portion90and a ceiling portion92) is able to be created.

By creating the illusion in which the ceiling portion90exists farther to the outside than the lower end portion40A of the vertical wall portion40(the inside edge portion of the groove38) in this way, the ceiling portion30appears to extend out by a corresponding amount toward the outside in the vehicle width direction (toward the outside in the horizontal direction), particularly to an occupant in a rear seat. As a result, the cabin space26appears more spacious, so the occupant is able to feel less closed-in. Naturally, an occupant in a front seat will also feel less closed-in.

Further, the roof side garnish34positioned on the terminal portion30A side of the ceiling portion30is formed so as to be lower in the vehicle vertical direction than the molded ceiling32that is positioned on the center side of the ceiling portion30. Also, the ratio of the dimension in the vehicle vertical direction to the dimension in the vehicle width direction is made to be greater on the outer edge portion32A side that it is on the center side of the molded ceiling32. Moreover, the far wall portion44of the roof side garnish34is formed upright in the vehicle vertical direction, so the ratio of the dimension in the vehicle vertical direction to the dimension in the vehicle width direction at the far wall portion44is even larger than it is on the outer edge portion32A side of the molded ceiling32.

By forming the far wall portion44of the roof side garnish34upright in the vehicle vertical direction in this way, the curvature of the molded ceiling32appears even smaller than it actually is, thereby giving off the illusion that a flat surface is formed on the ceiling surface28, and making the cabin space26appear even more spacious.

Also, by forming the groove38in the ceiling portion30, the height of the lower end portion40A of the vertical wall portion40(the inside edge portion of the groove38) is higher (dimension H1) than the height of the terminal portion30A of the ceiling portion30when the groove38is not formed. As a result, the ceiling surface28appears even more like a flat surface, and an illusion in which the ceiling portion30to the inside of the groove38appears to be higher position than when the groove38is not provided is created, thus giving the occupant the feeling that the space above his or her head is even roomier than it actually is.

Moreover, by forming the groove38in the ceiling portion30, the ceiling portion30appears to the occupant to be a double structure (the ceiling portion90and the ceiling portion92) formed with two portions, and an effect is achieved in which the occupant is made to feel as though there is yet another ceiling portion93above the general surface (curved surface88A) of the ceiling portion30that is seen by the occupant, and consequently, that there is an interior space27above the actual cabin space26by a virtual curved surface88C that is continuous with the curved surface88B. As a result, the occupant is able to feel that the space above his or her head is roomier than it actually is.

Also, in this example embodiment, the protruding portion46that protrudes downward is formed on the lower end portion40A of the vertical wall portion40(i.e., on the inside edge portion of the groove38). The inside of the groove38is shadowed by the protruding portion46, and the color of the inside of the groove38is darker than that of the general portion (i.e., the ceiling portion90) of the ceiling portion30. As a result, an illusion in which the ceiling portion30is formed of two portions (i.e., the ceiling portion90and the ceiling portion92) is able to be created. The inside of the groove38may also be darkened by making the color of the upper wall portion42of the groove38darker.

Although not shown, a plurality of assist grips are typically arranged exposed to the cabin space26side, so the occupant may feel closed-in by these assist grips. However, in this example embodiment, the assist grips64are housed inside the grooves38formed in the roof side garnishes34, as shown inFIGS. 2 and 5.

By having the assist grips64be able to be housed in the grooves38in this way, the assist grips64are able to not be exposed to the cabin space26side regardless of whether they are used. Therefore, the closed-in feeling due to the assist grips64being provided in the ceiling portion30is able to be alleviated. Also, by having the assist grips64housed inside the grooves38, the aesthetics of the ceiling portion30are able to be improved compared to when the assist grips64are exposed on the cabin space26side.

Also, by having the assist grips64be able to be housed inside the grooves38, the length of the assist grips64in the length direction is able to be made longer than that of typical assist grips. As a result, the position where the fingers strike the finger striking portion78is able to be changed to match each individual occupant. That is, the degree of freedom in the position where the fingers strike increases.

In the example embodiment, the ceiling portion30includes the molded ceiling32and the roof side garnish34, but the roof side garnish34is not always necessary. In this case, the groove38may be formed on the molded ceiling32.

Also, in the example embodiment, the groove38is formed in the extending direction of the roof side garnish34that forms a portion of the ceiling portion30, as a terminal side of the ceiling portion30, as shown inFIG. 7. That is, the groove38is formed in the vehicle longitudinal direction to the outside of the ceiling portion30in the vehicle width direction. In addition to this, a groove98(seeFIG. 8) may also be formed in the vehicle width direction on a front portion of the ceiling portion30, as a terminal side of the ceiling portion30.

For example,FIG. 8is a sectional view of a front portion (i.e., a front end portion32C of the molded ceiling32) side of the ceiling portion30that includes a side visor94, cut in the vehicle longitudinal direction. As shown inFIG. 8, when the side visor94is housed inside the molded ceiling32, an inclined surface96that inclines upward toward the rear from the front end portion32C of the molded ceiling32is formed. This inclined surface96is able to face the side visor94when the side visor94is exposed to the cabin space26side when being used.

Because the side visor94is housed to the rear of the inclined surface96, the molded ceiling32protrudes downward by a corresponding amount. Therefore, the groove98is formed using a step (H2) between a front end portion96A of the inclined surface96and a rear end portion96B of the inclined surface96. An opening99is formed in a rear wall portion98A of the groove98, and the side visor94is able to be taken out and put away through this opening99. Also, the rear wall portion98A of the groove98is out of the like of sight of the occupant. Moreover, a drop (H3) is provided between a rear edge portion98B of the groove98and the front end portion96A of the inclined surface96.

Forming the groove98on the front end portion32C side of the molded ceiling32in this way makes it possible to give the illusion that there is a ceiling portion100to the rear of the groove98(above the ceiling portion30). That is, an effect is achieved in which the occupant is made to feel as though there is yet another ceiling portion100above the general surface (curved surface88A) of the ceiling portion30that is seen by the occupant, and consequently, that there is an interior space29above the actual cabin space26by a virtual curved surface88D that is continuous with the inclined surface96. As a result, the occupant is able to feel that the space above his or her head is roomier than it actually is. Thus, the occupant is able to feel not as closed in.

In addition to this, in the example embodiment, an example is described in which the assist grip64as an example of the interior member66is housed inside the groove38, as shown inFIG. 6, but the configuration is not limited to this because all that is required is that the interior member66be housed inside the groove38.

A hook102is provided to the rear of the assist grip64on the rear seat side, as shown inFIG. 6, but the hook102may also be housed in the groove38. More specifically, the hook102is provided rotatable around a shaft portion104that is provided in the vehicle width direction inside the groove38, as shown inFIG. 9.

The hook102is a well-known so-called push-type hook that releases from a locked state when a free end portion102A side of the hook102is pushed upward. Accordingly, the hook102is urged by a torsion spring, not shown, provided around the shaft portion104, such that a free end portion102A of the hook102rotates downward around the shaft portion104.

The far wall portion44of the groove38is along the rotation trajectory of the hook102, so the free end portion102A of the hook102will abut against this far wall portion44when the hook102is rotated approximately 90 degrees, and as a result, rotational movement of the hook102will be restricted. When the free end portion102A side of the hook102is rotated upward around the shaft portion104, the hook102will be locked in a state housed inside the groove38. That is, the hook102is not exposed to the cabin space26side when not in use, so the cabin space26is able to appear spacious.

Also, the groove38may be used as lighting, as shown inFIG. 10. A light source110is provided on the upper wall portion42of the groove38. This light source110is set such that a switch is turned ON and OFF with the opening and closing of a side door112. More specifically, when the side door112is opened, the switch of the light source110turns ON, and when the side door112is closed, the switch of the light source110turns OFF. Having the switch of the light source110turn ON when the side door112is opened enables a rocker114and the ground116where the occupant will step to be illuminated.

Aside from this, the groove38may also be used as indirect lighting, as shown inFIG. 11. The light source110in this case illuminates the far wall portion44of the groove38. By illuminating the far wall portion44in this way, the far wall portion44of the groove38will be brighter. As a result, the terminal side of the ceiling portion30will be brighter, so the expanse of the space at the ceiling portion30is able to be displayed.

Furthermore, a shaft portion118may be provided in the extending direction of the groove38inside the groove38, and a roll curtain120may be rolled up on this shaft portion118and housed inside the groove38, as shown inFIG. 12. The roll curtain120is not exposed to the cabin space26side when not in use, so the cabin space is able to appear spacious. Also, instead of the roll curtain120, a blind or the like may be used, and the style is not limited to roll style and may also be accordion style.

As described above, by making these parts appear at first glance as though they are not there, the ceiling portion30(seeFIG. 6) appears neat, giving the cabin space26a spacious feeling.

While an example embodiment of the invention has been described, the invention is not limited to this kind of example embodiment. The example embodiment and various modified examples may be used in any appropriate combination, and the invention may be carried out in any one of a variety of modes within the scope of the invention.