Vehicle cargo compartment structure

A vehicle cargo compartment structure includes a first side trim and a second side trim that include a first projecting portion and a second projecting portion receiving a cargo floor board thereon. The first side trim further includes a first upper support portion above the first projecting portion and a first lower support portion under the first projecting portion. The first upper support portion supports a first end of a cargo cover assembly in a first state and includes a first upper opposite surface that is opposite the first end in the first state. The first lower support portion supports the first end in a second state and includes a first lower opposite surface that is opposite the first end in the second state. The first lower opposite surface is more to a vehicular exterior side in the vehicular width direction compared to the first upper opposite surface.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2021-65102 filed on Apr. 7, 2021. The entire contents of the priority application are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The technology described herein relates to a vehicle cargo compartment structure.

BACKGROUND

A cargo cover assembly is installed in a vehicle cargo compartment with two cover attachments. The cover attachments are attached to rear side trims of a vehicle. The cargo cover assembly has a configuration similar to a spring-operated roller shade. A floor of the vehicle cargo compartment is defined by a right cargo floor board, a left cargo floor board, and a middle cargo floor board. The right cargo floor board and the left cargo floor board include lid portions that can be open and closed with hinges. The cargo cover assembly may be removed from the cover attachments and stored in an underfloor storage of the vehicle. The underfloor storage includes a cover storing recess covered with the right cargo floor board, the left cargo floor board, and the middle cargo floor board. To store the cargo cover assembly in the cover storing recess, the middle cargo floor board is lifted to an open position and the right cargo floor board and the left cargo floor board are pivoted on the hinges so that the cover storing recess is uncovered and the cargo cover assembly is placed in the cover storing recess. After the cargo cover assembly is placed in the cover storing recess, the right cargo floor board, the left cargo floor board, and the middle cargo floor board are returned to their original positions.

As described above, several steps are required to store the cargo cover assembly in the underfloor storage. Further, a border between the right cargo floor board and the middle cargo floor board and a border between the left cargo floor board and the middle cargo floor board spoil a sophisticated appearance. If a tool storing space is located adjacent to the cover storing recess, the placement or the removal of the cargo cover assembly may require more steps so that the cargo cover assembly is not placed in the tool storing space.

SUMMARY

The technology described herein was made in view of the foregoing circumstances. An object is to provide a vehicle cargo compartment structure that allows a user to easily place a cargo cover assembly in a storage space and easily remove the cargo cover assembly from the storage space. Another object is to improve appearance of the vehicle cargo compartment structure.

The present disclosure is related to a vehicle cargo compartment structure that includes a first side trim and a second side trim disposed opposite the first side trim in the vehicular width direction and having a cargo space between the first side trim and the second side trim. The first side trim includes a first body section and a first projecting portion projecting from the first body section toward a vehicular interior side in a vehicular width direction. The second side trim includes a second body section and a second projecting portion projecting from the second body section toward the vehicular interior side in the vehicular width direction. The second projecting portion and the first projecting portion receive a cargo floor board thereon. The first side trim further includes a first upper support portion above the first projecting portion and a first lower support portion under the first projecting portion. The first upper support portion supports a first end of a cargo cover assembly in a first state and includes a first upper opposite surface that is opposite the first end in the first state. The first lower support portion supports the first end in a second state and includes a first lower opposite surface that is opposite the first end in the second state. The first lower opposite surface is more to a vehicular exterior side in the vehicular width direction compared to the first upper opposite surface.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An embodiment will be described in detail with reference toFIGS.1to13. A vehicle cargo compartment structure1of a vehicle (an automobile) defines a cargo space2at a rear of the vehicle. Arrows F, B, U, D, L, and R in the drawings points a front side, a rear side, an upper side, a lower side, a left side, and a right side, respectively. A right-left direction may be referred to as a vehicle width direction.

As illustrated inFIGS.1and2, the vehicle cargo compartment structure1includes a left trim3(a left sidewall, a first side trim), a right trim4(a right sidewall, a second side trim), a rear trim5, a cargo cover assembly6, and a cargo floor board7. The cargo space2is defined by the left trim3, the right trim4, the cargo cover assembly6, and the cargo floor board7. The cargo space2is between the left trim3and the right trim4. The rear trim5extends in the vehicle width direction. The rear trim5is attached to rear ends of the left trim3and the right trim4.

The cargo cover assembly6includes a cassette60, a cargo cover61, a flap62, a left protrusion62L, and a right protrusion62R. The cassette60extends in the vehicle width direction. The cargo cover61is rolled up and housed in the cassette60. The flap62has higher rigidity than that of the cargo cover61and has an elongated semielliptical shape. The flap62is coupled to a rear end of the cargo cover61. The left protrusion62L and the right protrusion62R protrude from a left edge and a right edge of the flap62, respectively.

The cassette60includes a left end60L and a right end60R that house spring mechanisms, respectively. The left end60L and a right end60R move in the vehicle width direction, that is, the cassette60shrinks and expands in the vehicle width direction. When the left end60L and the right end60R move inward and the cassette60shrinks in the vehicle width direction, outward forces in the vehicle width direction are created by the spring mechanisms in the left end60L and the right end60R. This creates a snag fit of the cassette60and thus the cassette60stays at a predefined position.

A user can hold and pull the flap62to pull the cargo cover61out of the cassette60over the cargo space2and insert the protrusions62L,62R in a left recess34of the left trim3and a right recess44of the right trim4, respectively. With the protrusions62L,62R in the left recess34of the left trim3and the right recess44of the right trim4, respectively, the cargo cover61remains taut and the cargo space2is covered with the cargo cover61.

When the cargo cover assembly6is in use, the cargo cover assembly6is disposed over the cargo floor board7as illustrated inFIGS.1to3. When the cargo cover assembly6is not in use, the cargo cover assembly6is stored under the cargo floor board7as illustrated inFIGS.4and5. When the cargo cover assembly6is in use, the cargo cover61may be pulled out of the cassette60to cover the cargo space2(seeFIGS.1and2) or rolled up and retracted in the cassette60with the flap62hanging from the cassette60(seeFIG.3).

When the cargo cover assembly6is in use (an in-use state, a first state) as illustrated inFIG.1, the cargo cover assembly6is disposed such that the cassette60is on a front side and the flap62is on a rear side. As illustrated inFIG.1, a front surface62A of the flap62faces upward. When the cargo cover assembly6is not in use (a not-in-use state, a second state) as illustrated inFIG.4, the flap62is disposed in front of the cassette60and a back surface62B of the flap62faces upward. Thus, the cargo cover assembly6is turned up side down when the cargo cover assembly6is moved to a not-in-use state from a use state and vice versa.

As illustrated inFIG.2, the cargo floor board7includes a first board portion71, a second board portion72, and a hinge portion73. The first board portion71is disposed at a front of the vehicle cargo compartment structure1. The second board portion72is coupled to a rear end of the first board portion71by the hinge portion73. The cargo floor board7is foldable on the hinge portion73so that the second board portion72is placed on the first board portion71. InFIGS.2,3and5, the cargo floor board7that is unfolded and set in a horizontal position is illustrated. InFIGS.1and4, the cargo floor board7that is folded is illustrated. When the cargo floor board7is unfolded, a first storage8that opens upward is covered with the second board portion72.

As illustrated inFIGS.6and7, the right trim4includes a horizontal portion4A, an upper vertical portion4B, and a lower vertical portion4C. The horizontal portion4A (a second body section) is disposed in a horizontal position and includes a rear section that is coupled to the rear trim5. The upper vertical portion4B (the second body section) extends upward from edges of the horizontal portion4A. The lower vertical portion4C (the second body section) extends downward from a vehicular interior edge of the horizontal portion4A. The upper vertical portion4B includes a rear section that is coupled to the rear trim5.

As illustrated inFIGS.6and7, the upper vertical portion4B includes an upper right support portion41(a second upper support portion), a sloped surface43, and a recess44. The upper right support portion41is in an upper section of the upper vertical portion4B and includes a support wall41A and an upper right opposite surface42(a second upper opposite surface). The upper right support portion41is a cavity defined by the support wall41A and the upper right opposite surface42. The upper right opposite surface42faces the vehicular interior side in the vehicular width direction. The cavity has an opening in a surface of the upper vertical portion4B facing the left trim3. The sloped surface43and the recess44are located in a rear section of the upper vertical portion4B. The recess44is located more to the rear of the upper vertical portion4B in comparison to the sloped surface43. The recess44has an opening in the surface of the upper vertical portion4B facing the left trim3. The sloped surface43is sloped downward from a front edge of the recess44.

The lower vertical portion4C includes a projecting portion40(a second projecting portion) in a front section thereof and includes a lower right support portion46(a second lower support portion) in a rear section thereof. The projecting portion40projects from a vehicular interior surface of the lower vertical portion4C toward the vehicular interior side with respect to the vehicular width direction and extends in the front-rear direction. The projecting portion40is under the upper right support portion41. The projecting portion40receives a right edge portion of the cargo floor board7and supports the cargo floor board7from below. The lower vertical portion4C includes a handle recess49between the projecting portion40and the lower right support portion46. The handle recess49extends in the front-rear direction and is recessed toward the vehicular exterior side.

The lower right support portion46is on the vehicular rear side relative to the projecting portion40and is at a lower level than the upper right support portion41. The lower right support portion46is a cavity that is defined by a support wall46A and a lower right opposite surface47(a second lower opposite surface). The lower right opposite surface47faces the vehicular interior side in the vehicular width direction.

As illustrated inFIGS.1and7, each of the upper right support portion41and the lower right support portion46is a recess having a square opening seen from the left side and receives the right end60R of the cassette60of the cargo cover assembly6. Each of the upper right support portion41and the lower right support portion46receives the right end60R (a second end) that is an opposite end of the left end60L and supports the cassette60from the vehicular exterior side in the vehicular width direction.

When the cargo cover assembly6is in use and the right end60R of the cassette60is fitted in the upper right support portion41, an end surface60R1of the right end60R is opposite the upper right opposite surface42(the second upper opposite surface). The upper right support portion41supports the cassette60above the first board portion71of the cargo floor board7, which is placed on the projecting portion40, and supports the cassette60from the vehicular exterior side. As illustrated inFIGS.1,6, and7, the upper vertical portion4B includes the recess44and the sloped surface43on the vehicular rear side relative to the upper right support portion41. The recess44is recessed toward the vehicular exterior side and the right protrusion62R of the flap62of the cargo cover assembly6is fitted in the recess44. The sloped surface43is on the vehicular front side relative to the recess44and sloped downward from the front edge of the recess44.

As illustrated inFIGS.6and7, the horizontal portion4A includes a detachable panel9and a second storage90in a rear section thereof. Tools such as a jack are stored in the second storage90. The panel9is disposed under the recess44. The second storage90is under the panel9and covered with the panel9. An operator puts his or her finger into the handle recess49to lift up the panel9and thus the panel9can be detached from the horizontal portion4A.

When the cargo cover assembly6is not in use (a second state) and the right end60R of the cassette60is fitted in the lower right support portion46(the second lower support portion), the end surface60R1of the right end60R is opposite the lower right opposite surface47(a second lower opposite surface). The lower right support portion46supports the cassette60under the second board portion72of the cargo floor board7, which is placed on the projecting portion40, and supports the cassette60from the vehicular exterior side with respect to the vehicular width direction. As illustrated inFIG.7, a rear lower edge9A of the panel9is configured as a portion (an upper edge) of the lower right support portion46. As illustrated inFIG.1, in the right trim4, the lower right opposite surface47of the lower right support portion46is located more to the vehicular interior side (the left side) compared to the upper right opposite surface42of the upper right support portion41.

As illustrated inFIG.9, the left trim3includes a horizontal portion3A, an upper vertical portion3B, and a lower vertical portion3C (a first body section). The horizontal portion3A is disposed in a horizontal position and coupled to the rear trim5. The upper vertical portion3B extends upward from an edge of the horizontal portion3A. The lower vertical portion3C extends downward from a vehicular interior edge of the horizontal portion3A. The upper vertical portion3B includes a rear section that is coupled to the rear trim5.

As illustrated inFIGS.8and9, the upper vertical portion3B (the first body section) includes an upper left support portion31(a first upper support portion), a sloped surface33, and a recess34. The upper left support portion31is in an upper section of the upper vertical portion3B and includes a support wall31A and an upper left opposite surface32(a first upper opposite surface). The upper left support portion31is a cavity defined by the support wall31A and the upper left opposite surface32. The upper left opposite surface32faces the vehicular interior side in the vehicular width direction. The cavity has an opening in a surface of the upper vertical portion3B facing the right trim4. The sloped surface33and the recess34are located in a rear section of the upper vertical portion3B. The recess34is located more to the rear of the upper vertical portion3B in comparison to the sloped surface33. The recess34has an opening in the surface of the upper vertical portion3B facing the right trim4. The sloped surface33is sloped downward from a front edge of the recess34.

The lower vertical portion3C includes a projecting portion30(a first projecting portion) in a front section thereof and includes a recess portion36(a first lower support portion) in a rear section thereof. The recess portion36is on the vehicular rear side relative to the projecting portion30and on a rear lower side relative to the upper left support portion31. The recess portion36is recessed toward the vehicular exterior side in the vehicular width direction. The projecting portion30projects from a vehicular interior surface of the lower vertical portion3C toward the vehicular interior side and extends in the front-rear direction. The projecting portion30is under the upper left support portion31. The projecting portion30receives a left edge portion of the cargo floor board7and supports the cargo floor board7from below.

As illustrated inFIG.9, the upper vertical portion3B includes a protruding section35A that protrudes toward the vehicular interior side to follow the shape of a wheel house. The horizontal portion3A includes an upper wall35B that is located on the vehicular rear side relative to the protruding section35A. The upper wall35B is configured as an upper wall of the recess portion36. The upper wall35B extends from a vehicular interior side surface35C of the upper vertical portion3B toward the vehicular interior side in the vehicular width direction. The vehicular interior side surface35C extends in the vertical direction and the front-rear direction. As illustrated inFIG.2, when the cargo floor board7is spread and unfolded, the upper surface of the upper wall35B is flush with the upper surface of the second board portion72.

The upper left support portion31is above the projecting portion30. The upper left support portion31is a cavity that is defined by a support wall31A and the upper left opposite surface32and recessed toward the vehicular exterior side in the vehicular width direction. As illustrated inFIGS.8and9, the upper left support portion31is a recess having a square opening seen from the right side and receives the left end60L (a first end) of the cassette60of the cargo cover assembly6. The upper left support portion31receives the left end60L and supports the cassette60from the vehicular exterior side in the vehicular width direction.

When the cargo cover assembly6is in use (the first state) and the left end60L of the cassette60is fitted in the upper left support portion31, the end surface60L1of the left end60L is opposite the upper left opposite surface32(the first upper opposite surface). The upper left support portion31supports the cassette60above the first board portion71of the cargo floor board7, which is placed on the projecting portion30, and supports the cassette60from the vehicular exterior side in the vehicular width direction. As illustrated inFIGS.1,8, and9, the upper vertical portion3B includes the recess34and the sloped surface33on the vehicular rear side relative to the upper left support portion31. The recess34is recessed toward the vehicular exterior side and the left protrusion62L of the flap62of the cargo cover assembly6is fitted in the recess34. The sloped surface33is on the vehicular front side relative to the recess34and sloped downward from the front edge of the recess34.

As illustrated inFIGS.8and9, the recess portion36opens in the vehicular width direction through an opening37(an insertion opening) and is defined by a bracket80(seeFIGS.11and12) and the upper wall35B that is a section of the horizontal portion3A. The bracket80has a recessed shape and is attached to the horizontal portion3A of the left trim3from the vehicular exterior side (the left side). As illustrated inFIG.10, the opening37extends in the front-rear direction and includes a rear opening section38(a first opening section) and a front opening section39(a second opening section).

The rear opening section38is a square opening seen from the right side. The rear opening section38has a first height measuring in a vertical direction and a first length measuring in the vehicular front-rear direction, and the first height is smaller than the first length. The rear opening section38includes a rear opening edge having about a C shape. With such a configuration, the left end60L of the cassette60is just fitted to the rear opening section38and can be inserted through the rear opening section38smoothly and easily.

The front opening section39is an elongated rectangular opening extending in the front-rear direction. The front opening section39has a second height measuring in the vertical direction and a second length measuring in the vehicular front-rear direction, and the second height is smaller than the second length. The front opening section39includes a front opening edge having about a U shape. With such a configuration, a left section of the flap62is just fitted to the front opening section39and can be inserted through the front opening section39smoothly and easily.

The front opening section39is continuous from the rear opening section38and two ends of the front opening edge of the front opening section39are continuous to two ends of the rear opening edge of the rear opening section38, respectively. The second height of the front opening section39is smaller than the first height of the rear opening section38and the first length of the rear opening section38is smaller than the second length of the front opening section39. A portion of the cargo cover assembly6can be inserted in the recess portion36through the opening37from the vehicular interior side.

The left end60L of the cassette60of the cargo cover assembly6is inserted in the recess portion36through the rear opening section38. The rear opening section38is greater in the vertical direction and smaller in the front-rear direction than the front opening section39. As illustrated in10, the rear opening edge includes a rear vertical edge38A, an upper rear horizontal edge38B, a lower rear horizontal edge38C, and a middle vertical edge38D (a connection edge). The upper rear horizontal edge38B and the lower rear horizontal edge38C extend frontward from two ends of the rear vertical edge38A. The middle vertical edge38D extends downward from an end of the upper rear horizontal edge38B. As illustrated inFIGS.11and12, the upper rear horizontal edge38B and the middle vertical edge38D have a bent portion37A. The bent portion37A is bent inwardly toward the inside of the recess portion36. As illustrated inFIGS.11and12, a recess37B is defined by a vehicular interior section of the upper wall35B (a section of the horizontal portion3A), an upper section of the lower vertical portion3C between the upper wall35B and the upper rear horizontal edge38B, and the bent portion37A.

The front opening edge of the front opening section39includes a front vertical edge39A, an upper front horizontal edge39B, a lower front horizontal edge39C, and a sloped edge39D. The upper front horizontal edge39B extends straight from the middle vertical edge38D of the rear opening section38to an upper end of the front vertical edge39A. The upper front horizontal edge39B has the bent portion37A. The lower front horizontal edge39C extends rearward from a lower end of the front vertical edge39A and is continuous to the sloped edge39D. The sloped edge39D is sloped downward as it extends rearward. The sloped edge39D is continuous to the lower rear horizontal edge38C of the rear opening section38. The left end portion of the flap62of the cargo cover assembly6is inserted in the recess portion36through the front opening section39.

As illustrated inFIGS.10and11, the bracket80includes a lower wall81and a bottom wall87that has a bottom surface82(a first lower opposite surface). The lower wall81is configured as a lower wall of the recess portion36. The lower wall81extends in the vehicular width direction and the front-rear direction. The bottom wall87extends upward from a vehicular exterior edge (left edge) of a vehicular rear section of the lower wall81. The bottom surface82of the bottom wall87is opposite the rear opening section38and on the vehicular exterior side with respect to the rear opening section38. The bottom surface82faces the vehicular interior side in the vehicular width direction.

The recess portion36includes a sloped wall83as an upper wall of the recess portion36. The sloped wall83is on the vehicular exterior side (left side) with respect to the front opening section39in the vehicular width direction. The sloped wall83is sloped downward as it extends toward the vehicular exterior side (the left side) in the vehicular width direction. With such a configuration, a space between the sloped wall83and the lower wall81decreases as it extends closer to the vehicular exterior side in the vehicular width direction or closer to the bottom surface82. With such a configuration, the left end section of the flap62is moved along the sloped wall83and inserted into the space of the recess portion36between the lower wall81and the sloped wall83smoothly. The bottom wall87has a square shape seen from the right side. The sloped wall83includes long protrusions and long recesses that are arranged alternately in the front-rear direction. The long protrusions and long recesses extend in the vehicular width direction.

As illustrated inFIG.12, the recess portion36includes a first rib84, a second rib85, and a third rib86. The first rib84, the second rib85, and the third rib86project downward from a lower surface35B1of the upper wall35B and extend in the vehicular width direction from a section of the lower vertical portion3C near the rear opening section38. The first rib84, the second rib85, and the third rib86extend from the bottom surface82to a recessed inner surface of the recess37B of the lower vertical portion3C. The first rib84, the second rib85, and the third rib86extend from the bottom surface82to a vehicular exterior side surface of the lower vertical portion3C. The first rib84and the second rib85have a projecting dimension extending from the lower surface35B1to the upper rear horizontal edge38B. The first rib84is closest to the rear side among the ribs84,85,86. The second rib85is in front of the first rib84and the third rib86is in front of the second rib85in the vehicular front-rear direction.

As illustrated inFIGS.11and12, vehicular interior end sections of the first rib84and the second rib85project from the lower surface35B1of the upper wall35B to a distal end of the bent portion37A. The first rib84and the second rib85include a first projection84A and a second projection85A, respectively, that project downward from the vehicular interior end sections of the first rib84and the second rib85. The first projection84A and the second projection85A are in contact with the distal end of the bent portion37A. The lower edges of the vehicular interior sections of the first rib84and the second rib85are on the same level as the upper rear horizontal edge38B and are smoothly continuous to the upper rear horizontal edge38B. With such a configuration, the left end60L of the cassette60is smoothly taken out of the recess portion36. The third rib86has a height in the vertical direction (projecting dimension) that is smaller than that of the first rib84and the second rib85.

When the cargo cover assembly6is not in use, the left end60L of the cassette60is inserted in a space (a first lower space) of the recess portion36between the lower wall81and the upper wall35B through the rear opening section38and the left end section of the flap62is inserted in the space of the recess portion36between the lower wall81and the sloped wall83through the front opening section39. The left end60L of the cassette60and the left end section of the flap62of the cargo cover assembly6, which is not in use, are disposed in the recess portion36such that the cargo cover assembly6is supported from the vehicular exterior side in the width direction and is stored under the cargo floor board7. As illustrated inFIGS.4and5, when the left end60L of the cassette60of the cargo cover assembly6, which is not in use, is inserted in the recess portion36, the end surface60L1of the left end60L is opposite the bottom surface82. As illustrated inFIG.1, in the left trim3, the bottom surface82is on the vehicular exterior side in the vehicular width direction relative to the upper left opposite surface32of the upper left support portion31.

InFIGS.1and4, a center line C of the cargo space2in the vehicular width direction (the right-left direction) is indicated by a dashed line. The center line C includes a center position between the left trim3and the right trim4or a center position between the projecting portion30and the projecting portion40in the vehicular width direction. The center line C also includes a center position of the cargo floor board7, which is placed on the projecting portions30,40, in the vehicular width direction. As illustrated inFIG.1, the upper left opposite surface32and the upper right opposite surface42are away from each other with a distance L1and a center P1of the distance L1is defined. The bottom surface82and the lower right opposite surface47are away from each other with a distance L2and a center P2of the distance L2is defined.

The upper left opposite surface32and the upper right opposite surface42are defined such that the center P1of the distance L1is located on the center line C. The center of the cargo cover assembly6, which is in use, in the vehicular width direction is located at the center of the cargo space2in the vehicular width direction. The bottom surface82and the lower right opposite surface47are defined such that the center P2of the distance L2is located closer to the bottom surface82with respect to the center line C. The center P2is located on the left side or the vehicular exterior side in the vehicular width direction with respect to the center line C. The center of the cargo cover assembly6, which is not in use and stored, in the vehicular width direction is located closer to the bottom surface82(the left side) with respect to the center of the cargo space2in the vehicular width direction. The distance L2between the bottom surface82and the lower right opposite surface47is greater than the distance L1.

When the cargo cover assembly6, which is in use, is stored in a space under the cargo floor board7, following steps are performed. As illustrated inFIGS.1to3, the cargo cover61of the cargo cover assembly6, which is in a spread state and covers the cargo space2, is rolled up and the cargo floor board7is folded (seeFIG.4). The cassette60of the cargo cover assembly6is pushed and shrunk with the spring mechanism and detached from the upper left support portion31and the upper right support portion41. The cargo cover assembly6is turned upside down such that the back surface62B of the flap62faces upward.

The cargo cover assembly6is stored in a space under the cargo floor board7via a first position60P1and a second position60P2as illustrated inFIG.13. First, the cassette60is placed at the first position60P1such that the left end60L is placed on the vehicular interior side relative to the rear opening section38and the right end60R is placed above the panel9. At the first position60P1, the cassette60is tilted with respect to the horizontal direction and is inserted through the opening37of the recess portion36with being tilted. The left end60L is inserted into the recess portion36through the rear opening section38and the left end section of the flap62is inserted into the recess portion36through the front opening section39while the cassette60being tilted with respect to the horizontal direction. The rear opening section38has an opening height that allows the left end60L to be inserted smoothly through the rear opening section38while the cassette60being tilted.

Next, the cassette60is further inserted into the recess portion36until the left end60L reaches and contacts the bottom surface82. The right end60R is above the lower right support portion46. Thus, the cassette60is placed at the second position60P2. Then, the cassette60, which is disposed at the second position60P2, is pushed into the recess portion36while the left end60L contacting the bottom surface82and thus the cassette60shrinks in the longitudinal direction of the cassette60with the spring mechanism such that the right end60R is fitted in the lower right support portion46. Thus, the left end60L and the left end section of the flap62are disposed in the recess portion36and the right end60R is in the lower right support portion46. As a result, the cargo cover assembly6is stored in the space under the cargo floor board7. The cargo cover assembly6, which is stored in the space under the cargo floor board7as described inFIG.4, can be taken out of the space under the cargo floor board7by pushing the cassette60into the recess portion36and lifting up the right end60R from the lower right support portion46and pulling the left end60L and the left end section of the flap62out of the recess portion36.

The vehicle cargo compartment structure1according to this embodiment includes the left trim3and the right trim4that are opposite each other in the vehicular width direction, the cargo floor board7, and the cargo cover assembly6. The cargo cover assembly6that is in use is disposed above the cargo floor board7and the cargo cover assembly6that is not in use is disposed under the cargo floor board7. The left trim3includes the upper left support portion31that supports the left end60L of the cargo cover assembly6that is in use and the recess portion36that supports the left end60L of the cargo cover assembly6that is not in use. The upper left support portion31includes the upper left opposite surface32that is opposite the left end60L of the cargo cover assembly6that is in use. The recess portion36includes the bottom surface82that is opposite the left end60L of the cargo cover assembly6that is not in use. The upper left support portion31includes the upper left opposing surface32that is opposite the left end60L of the cargo cover assembly6that is in use. The recess portion36includes the bottom surface82that is opposite the left end60L of the cargo cover assembly6that is not in use. The bottom surface82is more to the vehicular exterior side in the vehicular width direction compared to the upper left opposite surface32.

According to such a vehicle cargo compartment structure1, to store the cargo cover assembly6in the space under the cargo floor board7, the cargo cover assembly6including the cargo cover61stored in the cassette60is inserted in the recess portion36while being tilted with respect to the horizontal direction. The cargo cover assembly6is tilted such that the right end60R is located higher than the left end60L to insert the left end60L into the recess portion36first. This embodiment does not need to include a member, which can be open and closed, to cover the storing section in which the cargo cover assembly6is stored. According to the configuration of this embodiment, the right end60R can be fitted in the lower right support portion46smoothly with the left end60L being inserted in the recess portion. Thus, the cargo cover assembly6can be stored in and taken out of a storage space easily.

The right trim4includes the upper right opposite surface42and the lower right opposite surface47. The upper right opposite surface42is opposite the right end60R, which is an opposite end from the left end60L, when the cargo cover assembly6is in use. The lower right opposite surface47is opposite the right end60R when the cargo cover assembly6is not in use. The lower right opposite surface47is located on the vehicular interior side in the vehicular width direction with respect to the upper right opposite surface42.

According to such a vehicle cargo compartment structure1, the right trim4has a space extending between the upper right opposite surface42and the lower right opposite surface47in the vehicular width direction and the second storage90in which any members such as a jack are stored can be provided in the space. The cargo cover assembly6can be stored in and taken out of the space under the cargo floor board7smoothly and easily with using the space extending between the upper right opposite surface42and the lower right opposite surface47in the vehicular width direction.

The distance L2between the bottom surface82and the lower right opposite surface47is greater than the distance L1between the upper left opposite surface32and the upper right opposite surface42. According to such a configuration, the cargo cover assembly6can be stored in and taken out of the space under the cargo floor cover7smoothly and easily. Such a configuration is more effective for the cargo cover assembly6that is elastically shrinkable in the vehicular width direction.

The recess portion36includes the opening37through which the left end60L of the cargo cover assembly6is inserted in the recess portion36. The upper section of the rear opening section38of the opening37includes the bent portion37A that is bent toward the inside of the recess portion36. According to such a configuration, a user feels smooth touch when the user touches the bent portion37A with the user's finger.

The recess portion36includes the rear opening section38through which the left end60L of the cargo cover assembly6is inserted in the recess portion36. The recess portion36includes the first rib84, the second rib85, and the third rib86that project downward from the upper wall35B and project toward the rear opening section38.

According to such a configuration, when the cargo cover assembly6is pulled out of the recess portion36through the opening37, the cassette60can be guided by the first rib84, the second rib85, and the third rib86toward the rear opening section38. Therefore, the left end60L of the cargo cover assembly6is less likely to hit the opening edge of the rear opening section38when the cargo cover assembly6is pulled out of the recess portion36. Furthermore, the left end60L of the cargo cover assembly6is less likely to rattle within the recess portion36.

The recess portion36includes the bracket80that is attached to a section of the left trim3near the rear opening section38. The left end60L of the cargo cover assembly6is inserted into the recess portion36through the rear opening section38. The bracket80has a recessed shape and includes the bottom surface82.

According to such a configuration, the section of the left trim3near the rear opening section38has high rigidity. When the cargo cover assembly6is stored in the space under the cargo floor board7, the left end60L of the cargo cover assembly6is inserted through the rear opening section38and received by the bracket80. The cargo cover assembly6is less likely to be damaged near the rear opening section38and stably stored in the bracket80.

As illustrated inFIGS.1and4, the recess portion36includes a bottom section36A that is smaller in a vertical dimension measuring in the upper-lower direction and in a length dimension measuring in the vehicular front-rear direction than those of the other section of the recess portion36. The bottom section36A includes the bottom wall87and side walls that extend from edges of the bottom wall87, respectively. The bottom surface82has a same size as that of the left end surface60L1of the left end60L and the side walls of the bottom section36A has an inner peripheral size same as an outer peripheral size of the left end60L. With such a configuration, the left end60L can be held by the bottom section36A of the recess portion36and the cargo cover assembly6is less likely to rattle within the recess portion36.

Other Embodiments

The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described above and illustrated in the drawings. The following embodiments may be included in the technical scope of the technology described herein. The technology described herein may be modified within the technical scope.

(1) The cargo cover assembly may not have the above configuration and may be a plate member including two round corners at the rear end section. The cassette60may not be configured to shrink and expand in the vehicular width direction.

(2) The configurations of the right trim and the left trim may be switched to each other. For example, the right trim may include a first upper opposite surface and a first lower opposite surface and the left trim may include a second upper opposite surface and a second lower opposite surface.

(3) In the right trim, the lower right opposite surface47may be located just below the upper right opposite surface42.

(4) The shapes of the support portions are not limited to those described in the above embodiment. The shape of each support portion may be any shape as long as the cargo cover assembly does not drop therefrom when the end portion of the cargo cover assembly is fitted to the support portion.