Abstract:
A rear structure for an automobile is provided. One exemplary rear structure includes an interior pressure release vent disposed in a rear cargo compartment in a rear part of the automobile. The interior pressure release vent discharges air from a passenger compartment and the rear cargo compartment to an outside of the automobile. The rear structure may also include a cargo cover disposed above the rear cargo compartment to divide the rear cargo compartment from the passenger compartment. The cargo cover has a mesh portion with reticulated through-holes passing through the cargo cover in a vertical direction. Further, a water receptor is disposed below the mesh portion of the cargo cover and above a floor of the rear cargo compartment, such that the water receptor is positioned to receive water drops from the dripping-wet personal effect that is put on the mesh portion.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    This invention relates to a rear structure for an automobile comprising a cargo cover that divides a rear cargo compartment in a rear part of an automobile from a passenger compartment. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    It is known that a cargo cover (i.e. tonneau cover) that divides a rear cargo compartment in a rear part of an automobile from a passenger compartment. For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2007-8339 discloses that a cargo cover has a mesh portion comprising reticulated through-holes passing through the cargo cover in a vertical direction. 
         [0003]    For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2008-87503 discloses a rear cargo floor board that can cover a storage space to open and close a storage recess provided on a floor of a rear cargo compartment. The rear cargo floor board is configured to function as a cargo cover by moving the rear cargo floor board upward from the floor of the rear cargo compartment. A mesh portion is provided on the rear cargo floor board. 
         [0004]    For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2006-96216 discloses an interior pressure release vent (i.e., extractor) provided in the rear portion of the automobile (i.e., in a rear cargo compartment). Through the interior pressure release vent, air inside of an automobile can be discharged to an outside of the automobile. 
         [0005]    Recently, the number of SUVs (Sport Utility Vehicles) has increased. In such SUVs, dripping-wet personal effects (e.g. a dripping-wet swimming wear or dripping-wet marine sports equipment) are often loaded in a rear cargo compartment of the SUVs. 
         [0006]    In order to dry out the dripping-wet personal effects quickly, it is effective to provide a mesh portion on the cargo cover and to put the dripping-wet personal effects on the mesh portion. Specifically, in the case where an interior pressure release vent is provided on the rear cargo compartment, air-conditioned air blown into a passenger compartment would flow through the mesh portion into the rear cargo compartment, and finally the air can be discharged through the interior pressure release vent to an outside of the automobile. As the air flows through the mesh portion, the dripping-wet personal effects put on the mesh portion can be dried out quickly. 
         [0007]    However, in the case where the dripping-wet personal effects are put on the mesh portion, water drops from the dripping-wet personal effects may disadvantageously fall onto the floor of the rear cargo compartment (through the mesh portion), which may result in making the floor wet. 
         [0008]    This invention is made so as to address this problem. A purpose of this invention is to prevent the floor of the rear cargo compartment from getting wet (due to the water drops from the dripping-wet personal effects), while drying out the dripping-wet personal effects quickly. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0009]    To achieve the above purpose, in accordance with an aspect of the invention, a rear structure for an automobile comprises an interior pressure release vent disposed in a rear cargo compartment in a rear part of the automobile, wherein the interior pressure release vent discharges air in a passenger compartment and the rear cargo compartment to an outside of the automobile; a cargo cover disposed above the rear cargo compartment so as to divide the rear cargo compartment from the passenger compartment, wherein the cargo cover has a mesh portion comprising reticulated through-holes passing through the cargo cover in a vertical direction; and a water receptor disposed below the mesh portion of the cargo cover and above a floor of the rear cargo compartment, wherein the water receptor is positioned to receive water drops from the dripping-wet personal effect(s) that are put on the mesh portion. 
         [0010]    According to the above configuration, in the case where the dripping-wet personal effects are placed on the mesh portion (so as not to plug all the through-holes), the dripping-wet personal effects can be dried out quickly due to air flowing from the passenger compartment, through the mesh portion, and into the rear cargo compartment. In the meantime, although water drops from the dripping-wet personal effects may fall into the rear cargo compartment (through the mesh portion), the water receptor can receive the water drops before the water drops reach the floor of the rear cargo compartment. Therefore, it can prevent the floor of the rear cargo compartment from getting wet due to water drops from the dripping-wet personal effects. 
         [0011]    In a preferable embodiment, the water receptor may be provided with an attachment for attaching the water receptor to the cargo cover. 
         [0012]    In the case where the dripping-wet personal effects are put on the mesh portion, water drops from the dripping-wet personal effects may fall onto the water receptor. Accordingly, storing dry personal effects between the mesh portion and the water receptor may disadvantageously result in making the personal effects dripping-wet. If the water receptor is placed directly on the floor of the rear cargo compartment, a space between the mesh portion and the water receptor may become large. Thus, a remaining space in the rear cargo compartment for storing the dry personal effects without making them dripping-wet would become small. However, according to this embodiment (by attaching the water receptor to the cargo cover at an upper height in the rear cargo compartment), it is possible to ensure a large space for storing the dry personal effects without making them dripping-wet, even though the dripping-wet personal effects are put on the mesh portion. 
         [0013]    In a preferable embodiment, the attachment may attach the water receptor to the cargo cover such that a gap is formed therebetween. 
         [0014]    According to this embodiment, air can securely flow through the mesh portion, due to the gap between the cargo cover and the water receptor, in the case where the water receptor is attached to the cargo cover. Further, a flow velocity of the air flowing through the mesh portion can be increased by adjusting the dimension of the gap, which may advantageously result in drying the dripping-wet personal effects more quickly. 
         [0015]    In a preferable embodiment, the water receptor may be selectively placed on the floor of the rear cargo compartment as a trunk box for storing the personal effects instead of being attached to the cargo cover by the attachment. 
         [0016]    According to this embodiment, it is possible to use the water receptor as a trunk box that is placed on the floor of the rear cargo compartment, in the case where dripping-wet personal effects are not put on the mesh portion. This water receptor can store dripping-wet personal effects, as well as dry personal effects. Therefore, utility of the water receptor by occupants may be enhanced, because the water receptor can be used in various ways. 
         [0017]    In a preferable embodiment, the water receptor may be supported on both left and right side walls of the rear cargo compartment, or a backside of a seat back of a seat that is disposed frontward of the rear cargo compartment. 
         [0018]    According to this embodiment, a rigid support for supporting the water receptor that may contain much water can be enhanced as compared with that in the case of attaching the water receptor to the cargo cover. Further, a degree of freedom for supporting the water receptor at a desired height can be enhanced. Still further, particularly by disposing the water receptor close to the cargo cover, it is possible to ensure a large space for storing the dry personal effects without making them dripping-wet, in the case where the dripping-wet personal effects are put on the mesh portion. 
         [0019]    In a preferable embodiment, the water receptor may be formed in a box shape with an opening on its upper side. 
         [0020]    According to this embodiment, the water receptor can securely receive and store the water drops from the dripping-wet personal effects. Further, even though the water drops on the water receptor may move longitudinally or laterally due to force of inertia during accelerating/decelerating or curve traveling of the automobile, the box shape of the water receptor can prevent the water drops from spilling out of the water receptor. Still further, it can prevent the water drops from spilling out of the water receptor even when the automobile is parked on a longitudinally inclined road (e.g., up slope or down slope) or laterally inclined road (e.g., one-way grade). 
         [0021]    In a preferable embodiment, the water receptor may be disposed so as to overlap with a whole area of the mesh portion in a top view. 
         [0022]    According to this embodiment, the dripping-wet personal effects can be put anywhere on the mesh portion, and the water receptor may certainly be below the dripping-wet personal effects. Therefore, this embodiment can securely prevent the floor of the rear cargo compartment from getting dripping-wet due to water drops from the dripping-wet personal effects. 
         [0023]    As described above, according to the invention, the rear structure for the automobile comprises an interior pressure release vent disposed in a rear cargo compartment in a rear part of the automobile; a cargo cover having a mesh portion; and a water receptor disposed below the mesh portion of the cargo cover and above the floor of the rear cargo compartment, wherein the water receptor is positioned to receive water drops from the dripping-wet personal effect that are put on the mesh portion. Therefore, it can prevent the floor of the rear cargo compartment from getting dripping-wet due to water drops from the dripping-wet personal effects, while quickly drying out the dripping-wet personal effects. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a rear part of an automobile to which a rear structure according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied. 
           [0025]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a vehicle body and trim panels in the rear part of the automobile. 
           [0026]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing the rear part of the automobile. 
           [0027]      FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view showing a configuration of a cargo cover and a water receptor. 
           [0028]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional perspective view showing a configuration in the vicinity of a hinge when a lid member is in an open state. 
           [0029]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line VI-VI of  FIG. 4 . 
           [0030]      FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view showing a modification of the cargo cover. 
           [0031]      FIG. 8  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a rear part of an automobile to which a rear structure according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention is applied. 
           [0032]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing a rear part of an automobile according to Embodiment 2. 
           [0033]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view showing a cargo cover according to Embodiment 2. 
           [0034]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view taken along a line XI-XI of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 12  is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a rear part of an automobile to which a rear structure according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention is applied. 
           [0036]      FIG. 13  is an exploded perspective view showing a rear part of an automobile according to Embodiment 3. 
           [0037]      FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view taken along a vertical plane formed along the dash dot line intersecting a central support member in a rear seat back of the automobile of  FIG. 13 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0038]    Hereafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained in detail based on the appended drawings. The description of the following embodiments is essentially only illustration, and does not intend to limit the present invention, its applications, or its use. 
       Embodiment 1 
       [0039]      FIG. 1  shows a rear part of an automobile  1  to which a rear structure according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention is applied. This automobile  1  is of a hatchback type and is provided with a liftgate  3  for closing an opening part  2  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) in a rear face of the automobile  1 . The liftgate  3  is supported at its upper end part so as to be rotatable around a hinge shaft  4 . The hinge shaft  4  is provided in a part corresponding to a rear end part of a rear header  6  in a rear end part of a roof panel  5 . Thus, the liftgate  3  opens and closes the opening part  2  by rotating around the hinge shaft  4 . The liftgate  3  includes a body part  3   a  having a window opening  3   b  in its upper part, a window glass  3   c  provided over the window opening  3   b,  and a rear spoiler  3   d  provided in an upper edge of the window opening  3   b.  The automobile  1  to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the hatchback type described above, and may be of any other type, as long as the automobile  1  is provided with a rear cargo compartment as described later. Note that, the terms used herein, “front,” “rear,” “left,” and “right” refer to the front, rear, left, and right of the automobile  1 , respectively. 
         [0040]    The rear cargo compartment  8  is arranged behind a rear seat  7  in a rear part of the automobile  1 . By opening the liftgate  3 , the rear cargo compartment  8  is opened rearwardly via the opening part  2 , and becomes possible to load and unload articles to/from the rear cargo compartment  8  through the opening part  2 . A cargo cover  9  (refer to  FIGS. 1 and 3 ) for dividing the rear cargo compartment  8  and a passenger compartment  10  is arranged above the rear cargo compartment  8 . Both left and right ends of the cargo cover  9  are placed on step parts  25   a  (refer to  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) formed in an upper part of left and right cargo compartment side trim panels  25  described below, respectively. 
         [0041]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , side walls on both the left and right sides of the rear cargo compartment  8  includes left and right inner wheel well panels  11  (including the cargo compartment side trim panel  25 , described later), respectively. Each inner wheel well panel  11  constitutes a wheel well of a rear wheel  13  along with an outer wheel well panel  12  arranged on the outside therefrom in the vehicle width direction. The outside of each outer wheel well panel  12  in the vehicle width direction is covered by an exterior side panel  14  that constitutes a body side part of the automobile  1 , and a part of the exterior side panel  14  corresponding to the wheel well and a lower end part of the outer wheel well panel  12  are coupled to each other. 
         [0042]    A lower part of a rear wall of the rear cargo compartment  8  is constituted with a rear cargo inner panel  15  (refer to  FIGS. 1 and 2 ). An upper end of the rear cargo inner panel  15  serves as a lower edge of the opening part  2 , and has a latch striker  16  that engages with a latch mechanism (not illustrated) provided in a lower end part of the body part  3   a  of the liftgate  3 . An upper end of the rear cargo inner panel  15  and its vicinity part are reinforced by a rear cargo outer panel  17 . An upper part of a rear wall of the rear cargo compartment  8  is constituted with a part of the body part  3   a  of the liftgate  3 , which is below the window opening  3   b.    
         [0043]    A rear bumper  19  is arranged behind the rear cargo inner panel  15 . A reinforcement  19   a  (shown only in  FIG. 1 ) of the rear bumper  19  is fixed to the left and right rear side frames  20  (refer to  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) via bumper crash beams  21  (shown only in  FIG. 1 ) provided in rear ends of the rear side frame rails  20 , respectively. 
         [0044]    In a lower part of the rear end part of the left exterior side panel  14  (a part covered with a left end part of the rear bumper  19 , a vent hole  22  of an extractor (refer to  FIGS. 1 and 2 ), to which an interior pressure release vent (i.e., the extractor)  81  (refer to  FIGS. 2 and 3 ) is attached, is formed. The extractor discharges air from inside the passenger compartment  10  and the rear cargo compartment  8  to outside of the automobile. The vent hole  22  communicates with the rear cargo compartment  8  and, thus, the extractor  81  is arranged in the rear cargo compartment  8 . As shown in  FIG. 2 , the extractor  81  includes a frame-shaped member  82  made of a resin to be fitted into the vent hole  22 , and a cutoff valve  83  constituted with a flexible sheet member, which is attached to the frame-shaped member  82  so as to cover an opening corresponding to an inner part of the frame-shaped member  82 . The cutoff valve  83  is configured to be in a one-way structure (check valve) that allows discharge of air from inside of the automobile to outside of the automobile through the opening of the frame-shaped member  82  and the vent hole  22 , while inhibiting a flow of air from outside of the automobile into the automobile. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the cargo compartment side trim panel  25  for covering the inner wheel well panel  11  is attached to the inside of each inner wheel well panel  11  in the vehicle width direction (on the side of the rear cargo compartment  8 ). Although the left cargo compartment side trim panel  25  covers the vent hole  22 , a part thereof opposite to the vent hole  22  (the extractor  81 ) is formed with two or more slit holes  25   c  for ventilation to allow an air flow from the rear cargo compartment  8  to the vent hole  22  (the extractor  81 ). A rear cargo area back trim panel  26  (refer to  FIG. 1 ), which covers the rear cargo inner panel  15 , is attached to the front side of the rear cargo inner panel  15  (on the side of the rear cargo compartment  8 ). Referring to  FIG. 1 , to the front side (on the side of the rear cargo compartment  8 ) of a part of the body part  3   a  of the liftgate  3  below the window opening  3   b,  a liftgate trim panel  27  that covers a part of the liftgate  3  is attached. Note that, in  FIG. 2 , illustration of the liftgate  3 , the cargo cover  9 , and a rear cargo floor carpet  43 , described later, are omitted. 
         [0046]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , a rear cargo floor panel  30  that constitutes a rear cargo floor of the rear cargo compartment  8  is fixed to an upper face of the left and right rear side frame rails  20 . Cross members  31  extending in the vehicle width direction are fixed to parts corresponding to a front end part and a lower end part of the rear seat  7 , and a central part of the rear cargo compartment  8  in the front-and-rear direction, respectively, in a lower face of the rear cargo floor panel  30 . Both ends of the cross members  31  are fixed to the left and right rear side frame rails  20 . A part of the rear end part of the rear cargo floor panel  30 , surrounded by the left and right rear side frame rails  20  and the rearmost cross member  31  is concaved downwardly, and constitutes a rear cargo floor panel  32  of substantially a rectangular shape in a top view along with the rear cargo inner panel  15 . Note that the floor panel  30  does not need to be constituted with a single plate member and may be constituted with two or more plate members. Particularly, the part that constitutes the rear cargo floor panel  32  may be constituted with a plate member that is different from other parts. 
         [0047]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a fuel tank  33  having a structure in which it is divided vertically into two is arranged in a part corresponding to the rear seat  7  below the rear cargo floor panel  30 , and a silencer  34  having a structure in which it is divided vertically into two provided in a rear part of an exhaust pipe is arranged in a part corresponding to the rear cargo floor panel  32 . A tail pipe  35  of the exhaust pipe is connected to the silencer  34 . In a part between the fuel tank  33  and the silencer  34  below the rear cargo floor panel  30 , two subframes  36  for supporting a non-illustrated rear wheel suspension (E-type multi-link suspension) are arranged tandem in a state where they extend in the vehicle width direction. Both ends of the subframes  36  are fastened and fixed to the left and right rear side frame rails  20  with bolts, respectively. 
         [0048]    The rear seat  7  has a seat cushion  7   a  fixed onto an upper face of the rear cargo floor panel  30 , and two seat backs (one seat back  7   b  is shown) provided so as to be arranged in the vehicle width direction behind the seat cushion  7   a.  Each seat back  7   b  is rotatably supported by support brackets  38  provided behind the seat cushion  7   a  on the upper face of the rear cargo floor panel  30  and on both left and right sides of each seat back  7   b.  That is, a support member  7   d  fixed to a lower part of both left-and-right-side side parts of a seat back frame  7   c  (shown by two dot chain lines inside unfolded seat back  7   b ) provided over the entire periphery part inside each seat back  7   b  is rotatably coupled to an upper end part of the left and right support brackets  38 . In an in-use state (unfolded state) of the rear seat  7 , the seat backs  7   b  are in a state where they stand up so as to extend in the vertical direction. By folding the seat back  7   b  forward to the seat cushion  7   a  so as to contact a back face of the seat back  7   b  with a seating face of the seat cushion  7   a,  the rear seat  7  can be switched from the unfolded state to a folded state (seat back  7   b  and seat back frame  7   c  are shown in the folded state by two dot chain lines in  FIG. 1 ). 
         [0049]    A sub-trunk insert  39  (refer to  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) made of a foamed styrene is fixed to a bottom face inside the rear cargo floor panel  32 . A rear part of the sub-trunk insert  39  is formed in a shape to which a water receptor  51  described below can be set. 
         [0050]    An upper opening of the rear cargo floor panel  32  is closed by a sub-trunk cover  41  (refer to  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) made of a resin (for example, polypropylene). A positioning projecting part  41   a  (refer to  FIG. 2 ), for positioning the sub-trunk cover  41  by contacting with an upper end part of the front side of the rear cargo floor panel  32  and both the left and right sides of the rear cargo floor panel  32 , is formed on a lower face of the sub-trunk cover  41 . The sub-trunk cover  41  is simply placed on the upper side of the rear cargo floor panel  32 , and therefore, an operator of the automobile  1  removes the sub-trunk cover  41  to release the opening of the rear cargo floor panel  32  so that the operator can load and unload articles to/from the rear cargo floor panel  32 . 
         [0051]    The rear cargo floor carpet  43  (refer to  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 3 ) is laid on an upper face of the rear cargo floor panel  30  in the rear cargo compartment  8 . The rear cargo floor carpet  43  also covers the upper side of the sub-trunk cover  41 , and thereby, the rear cargo floor carpet  43  spreads over the entire floor of the rear cargo compartment  8  to improve the appearance of the floor. In this embodiment, an upper face of the rear cargo floor carpet  43  substantially serves as the floor of the rear cargo compartment  8 . Note that, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a front end part of the rear cargo floor carpet  43  is, in its slack state, fixed to a lower part of the rear face of each seat back  7   b  of the rear seat  7  in the unfolded state. When the rear seat  7  is switched to the folded state, the front end part of the rear cargo floor carpet  43  will be in a state where it is not slackened and is evenly spread. 
         [0052]    As shown in  FIG. 4 , the cargo cover  9  includes a cargo cover main part  45  made of a resin (for example, polypropylene), a rear part of which is formed with a rectangular hole  45   a  penetrating vertically, a lid member  46  made of a resin (for example, polypropylene) covering so as to open and close the upper side of the rectangular hole  45   a,  and a net member  47  bridged over the entire rectangular hole  45   a . The net member  47  corresponds to a mesh part having a meshed through-hole penetrating in the vertical direction. 
         [0053]    A front end part of the cargo cover main part  45  is shorter than other parts in the left-and-right direction, and hinge shafts  45   b  are formed so as to project from both left and right end faces of the front end part, respectively. Both of the hinge shafts  45   b  are fitted into and engaged with bearing parts  25   b  ( FIG. 2 ) provided in a front end part of the step parts  25   a  in both the left and right cargo compartment side trim panels  25 . Thereby, the cargo cover main part  45  (as a result, the entire cargo cover  9 ) is rotatable around the hinge shafts  45   b.  When the liftgate  3  is closed, the cargo cover  9  covers the upper part of the rear cargo compartment  8  so as to extend horizontally and, thus, divides the rear cargo compartment  8  and the passenger compartment  10  (which is, in detail, a part which is an upper part of the passenger compartment  10  and extends rearwardly from the rear seat). On the other hand, when the liftgate  3  is opened, the cargo cover  9  is rotated around the hinge shafts  45   b,  and is then lifted via a non-illustrated interlocking member. Thereby, the loading and unloading of articles to/from the rear cargo compartment  8  will be easy. 
         [0054]    A thickness of the cargo cover main part  45  is relatively thin, and in order to increase its strength, many reinforcement ribs  45   c  are formed on a lower face of the cargo cover main part  45  so as to be in a lattice shape. Two or more thickened parts  45   d  (refer to  FIGS. 4 to 6 ) are formed in an edge part of the rectangular hole  45   a  in the cargo cover main part  45  so as to be spaced by predetermined intervals in the circumferential direction. 
         [0055]    The lid member  46  is formed by piling up two plate members  46   a  in the vertical direction (refer to  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). As shown in  FIG. 4 , hinge members  48  are attached and fixed to a front end face of the lid member  46  (at two places). As shown in detail in  FIG. 5 , each hinge member  48  has two rotating pieces  48   a  and  48   b  configured so as to be rotatable relative to each other around a rotating shaft  48   c.  One rotating piece  48   a  is attached and fixed to a front end part of the lid member  46  with tapping screws  49  (in  FIG. 5 , the lid member  46  is in an open state described later, and in this open state, this would be a rear end part of the lid member  46  such that the rotating piece  48   a  is attached to a rear end part of the lid member), and the other rotating piece  48   b  is attached and fixed to the thickened part  45   d  provided in a front edge part of the rectangular hole  45   a  in the cargo cover main part  45  with tapping screws  49 . By the two hinge members  48 , the lid member  46  is rotatable counterclockwise in  FIG. 1  around the rotating shafts  48   c  from the closed state in which the upper side of the rectangular hole  45   a  is covered, and, finally, an upper face of the lid member  46  (in detail, a knob part  46   b  described later) contacts a front part of the upper face of the cargo cover main part  45 . In this way, an open state can be attained in which the rectangular hole  45   a  is opened (refer to two dot chain lines in  FIG. 1 , and also shown in an open state in  FIGS. 3 and 5 ). The knob part  46   b  for lifting and rotating the lid member  46  is formed so as to project from the rear end part of the upper face of the lid member  46  in the closed state. 
         [0056]    The net member  47  includes a net mesh  47   a  knitted in a mesh shape, and a net outer frame cord  47   b  for supporting the net mesh  47   a.  The net outer frame cord  47   b  is suspended from hangers  50  attached and fixed to each thickened part  45   d  with the tapping screws  49 . 
         [0057]    If the lid member  46  is switched into the open state, it is possible to place an article on the net member  47 , and particularly, when a dripping-wet article (swimwear, a marine sports article, etc.) is placed thereon, drying out of the dripping-wet article can be facilitated. That is, air-conditioning air blown out to the passenger compartment  10  passes through an air channel formed in the sides of the rear seat  7  between the net member  47  and the passenger compartment  10 , and the rear cargo compartment  8 , the air then flows into the rear cargo compartment  8 , and is then discharged from the rear cargo compartment  8  to outside of the automobile via the extractor  81 . Thus, because air flows through the net member  47 , the dripping-wet article placed on the net member  47  can be dried out quickly by the air flow. The size of the meshes of the net member  47  may be set considering the quick drying capability for such a dripping-wet article and the size of the dripping-wet article. 
         [0058]    The net mesh  47   a  of the net member  47  may preferably be made from a material having elasticity. As such, when the dripping-wet article is placed on the net member  47 , the net mesh  47   a  is stretched downwardly by the weight of the dripping-wet article, and, thereby, the air flow easily contacts a large area of the dripping-wet article. 
         [0059]    Note that, as shown in  FIG. 7 , instead of the rectangular hole  45   a,  a mesh part  45   e  having through-holes  45   f  (slit holes) of a mesh shape penetrating in the vertical direction may be formed in a part of the cargo cover main part  45  where the rectangular hole  45   a  is formed, and the net member  47  may be omitted. The mesh part  45   e  serves similarly to the net member  47 , and when the dripping-wet article is placed on the mesh part  45   e  of the cargo cover main part  45 , the dripping-wet article can be dried out quickly. The shape and the size of the through-holes  45   f  (meshes) may be appropriately set considering the quick drying capability for the dripping-wet article and the size of the dripping-wet article, similar to the meshes of the net member  47 . 
         [0060]    When the dripping-wet article is placed on the net member  47 , water drops from the dripping-wet article can pass through the net member  47 . In this embodiment, in order to prevent the floor (the rear cargo floor carpet  43 ) of the rear cargo compartment  8  from getting dripping-wet by the water drops, the water receptor  51  made of a resin (for example, polypropylene), that receives water drops which fall through the net member  47  from the dripping-wet article placed on the net member  47 , is arranged below the net member  47  and above the floor of the rear cargo compartment  8 . 
         [0061]    The water receptor  51  is formed in a rectangular box shape having an opening on its upper side. That is, the water receptor  51  is constituted with a bottom wall part  51   a  of a rectangular shape extending horizontally, and a front-side side wall part  51   b,  a rear-side side wall part  51   c,  a left-side side wall part  51   d,  and a right-side side wall part  51   e  that rise substantially perpendicularly with respect to the bottom wall part  51   a  from the entire periphery of the bottom wall part  51   a.  Waterproofing is given to inner faces of each wall parts  51   a - 51   e,  and thereby, the water receptor  51  can catch the water drops which fall from above. 
         [0062]    The water receptor  51  is configured to be selectively switchable between a state where it is attached to the cargo cover main part  45  of the cargo cover  9  (the state shown in  FIG. 1  by solid lines) and a state where it is set upon the sub-trunk insert  39  in the rear cargo floor panel  32  (the state shown in  FIG. 1  by two dot chain lines). When the dripping-wet article is not placed on the net member  47 , the water receptor  51  is set to the sub-trunk insert  39  to be used as a trunk box or storage box in which an article(s) is accommodated (it may be the dripping-wet article(s)). 
         [0063]    Attachment members  51   f  and  51   g  are formed integrally in the water receptor  51  to attach the water receptor  51  to the cargo cover main part  45  of the cargo cover  9 . That is, the left attachment member  51   f  and the right attachment member  51   g  which bend downwardly after projecting horizontally to the left and right are formed integrally with the water receptor  51  at the upper ends of the left-side side wall part  51   d  and the right-side side wall part  51   e,  respectively. These left and right attachment members  51   f  and  51   g  engage with a pair of the rail members  55  provided so as to extend in the front-and-rear direction at both left and right sides of the rectangular hole  45   a  on the lower face of the cargo cover main part  45 , respectively, and are slidable in the lengthwise direction of the rail members  55  (front-and-rear direction) (refer to  FIGS. 4 and 6 ). The left rail member  55  is attached and fixed to the above-described three thickened parts  45   d  located in a left edge part of the rectangular hole  45   a  by tapping screws  49 , and the right rail member  55  is attached and fixed to the three thickened parts  45   d  located in a right edge part of the rectangular hole  45   a  by tapping screws  49 . 
         [0064]    When attaching the water receptor  51  to the cargo cover  9  (the cargo cover main part  45 ), the left and right attachment members  51   f  and  51   g  are brought to engage with both the rail members  55  from the rear, respectively, and both the attachment members  51   f  and  51   g  (the water receptor  51 ) are slid forward on both the rail members  55 , respectively. Then, when the water receptor  51  reaches a position overlapping with the entire area of the net member  47  as seen from above, the front ends of both the attachment members  51   f  and  51   g  contact stoppers  56  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) provided in the front end parts of both the rail members to prevent both the attachment members  51   f  and  51   g  from moving forward, and thereby, the attachment of the water receptor  51  to the cargo cover  9  is completed. 
         [0065]    On the other hand, when removing the water receptor  51  from the cargo cover  9 , contrary to the attaching procedure described above, both the attachment members  51   f  and  51   g  (the water receptor  51 ) are moved rearwardly on both the rail members  55 . A projecting part  51   h  projecting horizontally to the rear is formed at the upper end of the rear-side side wall part  51   c  of the water receptor  51 . A finger-hooking hole  51   i  is formed in a central part of the projecting part  51   h  in the left-and-right direction to allow an operator to hook his/her fingers thereon and move the water receptor  51  rearwardly with respect to the cargo cover  9 . 
         [0066]    In a state where the water receptor  51  is attached to the cargo cover  9 , gaps are formed between a lower face of the cargo cover main part  45  and the upper end of the front-side side wall part  51   b,  and between the lower face of the cargo cover main part  45 , and the upper end of the rear-side side wall part  51   c  and the upper face of the projecting part  51   h,  respectively. Particularly, a height of an intermediate part in the left-and-right direction of the upper end of the front-side side wall part  51   b  is set low, and a gap between the lower face of the cargo cover main part  45  is set large. As a result, the air in the passenger compartment passes through the net member  47 , and after that, it passes at least one of both the gaps, and then flows into the rear cargo compartment  8 . Therefore, even if the water receptor  51  is attached to the cargo cover  9 , the water receptor  51  does not interrupt the air flow, and thereby the drying out of the dripping-wet article can still be stimulated. 
         [0067]    One of the gaps may be eliminated. However, because air flows eccentrically to the front or to the rear where the gap is located, eliminating one of the gaps may cause the dripping-wet article not to be dried out uniformly. Therefore, it may be preferred to form gaps at both front and rear, as described above, to uniformly dry out the dripping-wet article. Alternatively, air communicating holes may more preferably be formed in the vicinity of the upper end of the left-side and right-side side wall parts  51   d  and  51   e  so that air flows to the left and to the right, as well as to the front and to the rear. Alternatively or additionally, instead of both the gaps, the air communicating holes may be formed in the vicinity of the upper ends of the front-side and rear-side side wall parts  51   b  and  51   c.    
         [0068]    Therefore, in this embodiment, because the net member  47  is provided to the cargo cover  9 , quick drying out of the dripping-wet article can be achieved by the air flow caused by the extractor  81  by placing the dripping-wet article on the net member  47 . In addition, attaching the water receptor  51  to the lower face of the cargo cover main part  45  before placing the dripping-wet article on the net member  47  can prevent the floor of the rear cargo compartment  8  (the rear cargo floor carpet  43 ) from getting wet by water drops fallen from the dripping-wet article. 
         [0069]    Because the water receptor  51  is attached to the lower face of the cargo cover main part  45 , normal article(s) which are not dripping-wet can be placed in a space between the water receptor  51  and the floor of the rear cargo compartment  8 . As a result, a large space for accommodating the normal article(s) can be secured when the dripping-wet article is placed on the net member  47 . 
       Embodiment 2  
       [0070]      FIGS. 8 to 11  show Embodiment 2 of the present invention, and this embodiment is configured so that the water receptor  51  is supported by the both left-side and right-side side walls (the cargo compartment side trim panel  25 ) of the rear cargo compartment  8 . Note that, in  FIG. 9 , illustration of the liftgate  3  and the cargo cover  9  is omitted. 
         [0071]    More particularly, in this embodiment, as similar to what is illustrated in  FIG. 7 , a mesh part  45   e  having through-holes  45   f  (slit holes) of a mesh shape penetrating in the vertical direction is formed in the cargo cover main part  45  of the cargo cover  9 , but the net member  47  does not exist in this embodiment. A mesh part  45   e  is formed in a front part of the cargo cover  9 , and the lid member  46  covers the mesh part from above. This lid member  46  has a similar configuration to that of Embodiment 1. However, the front part and rear part of lid member  46  are reversed from the configuration of Embodiment 1. The lid member  46  is rotated clockwise around the rotating shafts  48   c  (illustration is omitted in  FIG. 8 ) of the hinge members  48  provided on a rear end face of the lid member  46 , from a closed state in which the lid member  46  covers the upper side of the mesh part  45   e,  so that an upper face of the lid member  46  (in detail, the knob part  46   b ) contacts a rear part of the upper face of the cargo cover main part  45 . In this way, the lid member  46  becomes in an open state in which the mesh part  45   e  is opened (refer to two dot chain lines of  FIG. 8 , and  FIG. 10 ). 
         [0072]    Thus, after the lid member  46  is switched into the open state, the dripping-wet article is placed on the mesh part  45   e  (however, all the through-holes should not be closed by the dripping-wet article). Thereby, drying out of the dripping-wet article can be stimulated by the air flow which passes through the through-holes  45   f  of the mesh part  45   e  from the sides of the passenger compartment  10  to the sides of the rear cargo compartment  8 , and is then discharged to outside of the automobile via the extractor  81 . 
         [0073]    The water receptor  51  is arranged below the mesh part  45   e  and above the floor of the rear cargo compartment  8 . In this embodiment, the water receptor  51  is not attached to the cargo cover  9 , but is attached to a support member  61  provided in a front upper part of the left and right cargo compartment side trim panels  25 , respectively. 
         [0074]    Each support member  61  includes a support part  61   a  which is a bent bar member of a circular cross-section and extends in the front-and-rear direction, and two slide parts  61   b  extending in the horizontal direction (in the vehicle width direction) on both sides of the support part  61   a.  As shown in  FIG. 11 , each slide part  61   b  is inserted in a guide hole  62   a  of a guide member  62  attached and fixed to the cargo compartment side trim panel  25  with tapping screws  63 , and is supported slidably in the horizontal direction with respect to the guide hole  62   a.  Thereby, it is possible to selectively switch each support member  61  between a state where it projects from the cargo compartment side trim panel  25  to the rear cargo compartment  8  and a state where it is evacuated from the rear cargo compartment  8 . A stopper part  61   c  having a larger diameter than the guide hole  62   a  is provided at the opposite end of the slide part  61   b  from the support part  61   a  so that an operator pulls out the support member  61  until the stopper part  61   c  contacts an end face of the guide member  62  from the evacuated state to switch it into the projected state. 
         [0075]    Similar to Embodiment 1, the water receptor  51  is formed in a rectangular box shape having an opening in the upper part, and includes the bottom wall part  51   a , as well as the front-side side wall part  51   b,  the rear-side side wall part  51   c,  the left-side side wall part  51   d,  and the right-side side wall part  51   e  which rise substantially perpendicularly with respect to the bottom wall part  51   a  from the entire periphery of the bottom wall part  51   a.    
         [0076]    The left attachment member  51   f  and the right attachment member  51   g  similar to those of Embodiment 1 are provided integrally at the upper end of the left-side side wall part  51   d  and the right-side side wall part  51   e  of the water receptor  51 , respectively. In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 11 , because the attachment members  51   f  and  51   g  are bent in an inverted U-shape, they can hook on the support parts  61   a  of the left and right support members  61 , respectively. By hooking the left and right attachment members  51   f  and  51   g  on the support parts  61   a  of the support members  61 , respectively, the water receptor  51  is supported below the mesh part  45   e  and above the floor of the rear cargo compartment  8  (in this embodiment, a height close to the mesh part  45   e ). In this supported state, the water receptor  51  overlaps with the entire area of the mesh part  45   e  when seen from above. 
         [0077]    The height position of the water receptor  51  supported by the support member  61  may be any height position, without limiting to the height position close to the mesh part  45   e,  as long as it is below the mesh part  45   e  and above the floor of the rear cargo compartment  8 . However, when placing the dripping-wet article on the mesh part  45   e,  because water drops fall from the mesh part  45   e,  it may not be possible to place the normal article(s), which is not dripping-wet, between the water receptor  51  and the mesh part  45   e.  Therefore, it may be preferred to bring the water receptor  51  closer to the mesh part  45   e  as much as possible in order to secure the space for accommodating the normal article(s) (this is similar for Embodiment 3, described later). 
         [0078]    Similar to Embodiment 1, the projecting part  51   h  is formed at the upper end of the rear-side side wall part  51   c  of the water receptor  51 , and the finger-hooking hole  51   i  is formed in a central part of the projecting part  51   h  in the horizontal direction. The operator hooks his/her fingers on the finger-hooking hole  51   i  and lifts the rear end part of the water receptor  51  to release the attachment members  51   f  and  51   g  from the support parts  61   a  of the left and right support members  61 . 
         [0079]    The water receptor  51  removed from the support member  61  in this way may be used, similar to Embodiment 1, as a trunk box (i.e., storage box) that is set to the sub-trunk insert  39  in the rear cargo floor panel  32  and in which article(s) (which may be the dripping-wet article(s)) is accommodated. At this time, if each support member  61  is switched into the evacuated state, each support member  61  will not be obstructive when accommodating the article into the rear cargo compartment  8 . 
         [0080]    Therefore, also in this embodiment, similar to Embodiment 1, it can stimulate drying out of the dripping-wet article, while preventing the floor of the rear cargo compartment  8  from getting wet by water drops fallen from the dripping-wet article. In addition, because the water receptor  51  is supported by both the left-side and right-side side walls (the cargo compartment side trim panels  25 ) of the rear cargo compartment  8 , the supporting capability of the water receptor  51  when the water receptor becomes heavy with a lot of water can be improved compared with the case where the water receptor  51  is attached to the cargo cover  9  (e.g., Embodiment 1). 
       Embodiment 3 
       [0081]      FIGS. 12 to 14  show Embodiment 3 of the present invention, and in this embodiment, the water receptor  51  is supported by a rear face of the seat back  7   b  of the rear seat  7  located forward of the rear cargo compartment  8 . Note that, in  FIG. 13 , illustration of the liftgate  3  and the cargo cover  9  is omitted. 
         [0082]    Specifically, in this embodiment, a support member  71  for supporting the water receptor  51  is formed in the rear face of each seat back  7   b  of the rear seat  7 . Each support member  71  includes a body part  72  having a concave part  72   a  concaved into the seat back  7   b  (toward the front side in the unfolded state of the rear seat  7 ), and a support bar  73 . 
         [0083]    A rear seat back panel  7   e  (refer to  FIG. 14 ) is provided in the vicinity of the rear face inside each seat back  7   b  (immediately inside of the outermost covering sheet  7   f ) substantially over the entire back face. This rear seat back panel  7   e  is made of iron, and is fixed to both the left-side and right-side side parts of the seat back frame  7   c.  The body part  72  is fixed to the rear seat back panel  7   e  of each seat back  7   b . Note that, in  FIG. 14 , the reference numeral  7   g  indicates a pad. 
         [0084]    An upper part of the concave part  72   a  in the body part  72  is greatly concaved inwardly to the seat back  7   b  compared with a lower part thereof. The support bar  73  of a circular cross-section is fixed to the upper part of the concave part  72   a  so as to extend in the left-and-right direction. A face corresponding to a bottom face in the lower part of the concave part  72   a  (a face facing to the rear) serves as a contact face  72   b  where a hook member  76 , described later, contacts a contact part  76   b.    
         [0085]    As similar to Embodiments 1 and 2, the water receptor  51  is formed in a rectangular box shape having an opening on its upper side, and includes the bottom wall part  51   a,  as well as the front-side side wall part  51   b,  the rear-side side wall part  51   c,  the left-side side wall part  51   d,  and the right-side side wall part  51   e  which rise substantially perpendicularly with respect to the bottom wall part  51   a  from the entire periphery of the bottom wall part  51   a.  In this embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 13 , the hook member  76  corresponding to the attachment member for attaching the water receptor  51  to the seat back  7   b  (the support member  71 ) is fixed to two locations corresponding to the support member  71  in the front-side side wall part  51   b , respectively. Each hook member  76  is attached and fixed to a front face of the front-side side wall part  51   b  by three tapping screws  77  (refer to  FIG. 14 ). The locations in the front face of the front-side side wall part  51   b  where the tapping screws  77  are threadedly engaged are formed in a thickened part  51   j  (refer to  FIGS. 13 and 14 ) where the thickness is greater than other parts. 
         [0086]    The hook member  76  is formed form a plate member extending in the vertical direction. An upper end part of the hook member  76  is formed in a hook part  76   a  which is bent in an inverted U-shape, and this hook part  76   a  is hooked on the support bar  73  of the support member  71 . A projecting part  76   b  is bent substantially in a C-shape so as to project to the front is provided in a lower part of the hook member  76 . In a state where the hook part  76   a  is hooked on the support bar  73 , the tendency of the water receptor  51  is to naturally rotate clockwise in  FIG. 14  around the support bar  73  due to the weight of the water receptor  51 . However, because the tip-end face (front face) of the projecting part  76   b  contacts the contact face  72   b  of the body part  72 , the rotation is prevented so that the bottom wall part  51   a  of the water receptor  51  extends horizontally. In this way, the water receptor  51  is supported by the rear face of the seat back  7   b  in the unfolded state. In this supported state, the water receptor  51  is located below the mesh part  45   e  and above the floor of the rear cargo compartment  8  (at a height position close to the mesh part  45   e ), while overlapping with the entire area of the mesh part  45   e  when seen from above. 
         [0087]    Similar to Embodiments 1 and 2, a projecting part  51   h  is formed at the upper end of the rear-side side wall part  51   c  of the water receptor  51 , and a finger-hooking hole  51   i  is formed an a central part of the projecting part  51   h  in the horizontal direction. The operator hooks his/her fingers on the finger-hooking hole  51   i  and lifts the rear end part of the water receptor  51  to release the hook member  76  from the support bar  73  of the support member  71 . 
         [0088]    In this way, similar to Embodiments 1 and 2, the water receptor  51  removed from the support member  71  is set upon the sub-trunk insert  39  inside the rear cargo floor panel  32  so that it can be used as a trunk box where article(s) (which may be the dripping-wet article(s)) are accommodated. 
         [0089]    Therefore, also in this embodiment, similar to Embodiments 1 and 2, drying out of the dripping-wet article can be facilitated, and the floor of the rear cargo compartment  8  can be prevented from getting wet by water drops fallen from the dripping-wet article. Further, similar to the case where the water receptor  51  is supported by the cargo compartment side trim panel  25 , the supporting capability of the water receptor  51  can be improved. 
         [0090]    The present invention is advantageous in the rear structure of the automobile provided with a cargo cover that divides the rear cargo compartment, in the rear part of the automobile and the passenger compartment. 
         [0091]    It should be understood that the embodiments herein are illustrative and not restrictive, since the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims rather than by the description preceding them, and all changes that fall within metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of such metes and bounds thereof are therefore intended to be embraced by the claims.