In-vehicle box device

Abstract

To enhance the degree of freedom in design regarding the dimensions of an external shape.SOLUTION: The in-vehicle box device 20 includes a box body 21 having an inner space part 23 therein, and a lid 40. The inner space 23 is provided with an upper storage 24 having an opening 25 at the upper end in the upper part of the inner space 23. The lid 40 is constituted by foldably connecting a pair of lid pieces 4143, by a connecting part 45. A lid housing portion 47 extending in the up-down direction is provided at a position lower than the opening 25 in the internal space portion 23. The lid piece 41,43 closes the opening 25 by being unfolded at the opening 25. The lid piece 41,43 is superposed in an erected state by folding the lid 40 with the connection part 45 as a fulcrum. The lid piece 41,43 opens the opening 25 by being housed in the lid housing portion 47 in a standing state. The lid housing portion 47 has a first port 49 for the lid piece 41,43 in the standing state at its upper end portion.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a box device for use in a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an in-vehicle box device to be mounted in the interior of a vehicle, the box device comprising a box body, a pair of lids, and a pair of lid storage compartments. The box body comprises a storage compartment with an opening at its upper end. The box body is elongated in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle rather than in the width direction of the vehicle. The box body comprises a pair of side walls opposing each other in the width direction of the vehicle. Each lid is rotatably supported by a shaft on the upper end of each side wall. The pair of lids are horizontally adjacent to each other in the width direction of the vehicle at the opening, thereby closing the opening. Each lid storage compartment is provided at a location adjacent to the outer side of the side wall in the width direction of the vehicle. Each of the pair of lids is raised to an upright position on the outer side of the corresponding side wall in the width direction of the vehicle, thereby opening the opening. At this time, the lower part of each raised lid is stored from above in the corresponding lid storage compartment. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2020-32977 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the in-vehicle box device described in Patent Document 1, the dimensions of the external shape must be designed as follows. That is, since each lid accommodating section is provided outside the side wall section in the vehicle width direction, the dimensions of the box body in the same direction are reduced. Alternatively, the dimensions of the in-vehicle box device in the vehicle width direction are increased by the size of the pair of lid accommodating sections. In either case, the dimensions of the external shape are restricted as described above, which results in a problem of reduced design freedom regarding the external shape. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Various aspects of the in-vehicle box device for solving the above problems will be described below. [Mode 1] An in-vehicle box device to be mounted in the passenger compartment of a vehicle, comprising a box body and a lid having an internal space therein, the internal space having a storage section at least at the upper part thereof with an opening at its upper end, the lid being constructed by connecting a pair of lid pieces so that they can be folded, a lid accommodating section extending in the vertical direction is provided in the internal space at a position lower than the opening, the pair of lid pieces close the opening when unfolded at the opening, the pair of lid pieces are overlapped in an upright state by the lid being folded using the connecting section as a fulcrum, and the opening is opened when the lid is accommodated in the lid accommodating section in the upright state, the lid accommodating section having an entrance and exit for the pair of lid pieces in the upright state at its upper end.

[0006] According to the above configuration, the pair of lid pieces are unfolded at the opening, thereby closing the opening. When the closed opening is opened, the pair of lid pieces are folded around the connecting portion as a fulcrum and stacked together in an upright position. The pair of upright lid pieces are accommodated through an opening in a lid accommodating portion that extends vertically in the interior space of the box body at a location lower than the opening. While both lid pieces are held upright by the lid accommodating portion, the opening is opened.

[0007] When the pair of lid pieces are unfolded, they are removed above the lid accommodating portion through the opening, and are unfolded with the connecting portion as a fulcrum at the opening located higher than the lid accommodating portion.

[0008] As described above, the lid accommodating portion is provided in a portion of the interior space of the box body that is lower than the opening. When the opening is opened, the pair of lids are accommodated in the lid accommodating portion. Therefore, unlike conventional in-vehicle box devices, the dimensions of the outer shapes of the box body and the in-vehicle box device are less likely to be restricted by the lid accommodating portion.

[0009] [Aspect 2] The box body has a pair of opposing wall portions that face each other in a direction along the vehicle floor, with the internal space portion sandwiched between them, and the lid accommodating portion is provided in the middle between the pair of opposing wall portions, facing the pair of opposing wall portions, in a box device for use in a vehicle as described in [Aspect 1].

[0010] With the above-described configuration, the lid accommodating portion is disposed in the middle between the pair of opposing walls, so that the inner space is divided into two spaces in the direction in which the pair of opposing walls face each other, which increases the number of uses for the inner space compared to when the inner space is not divided.

[0011] [Aspect 3] The box body has an intermediate bottom wall portion in the middle of the internal space in the vertical direction, and the portion of the internal space above the intermediate bottom wall portion constitutes the storage portion, the lid storage portion is provided below the storage portion, the entrance / exit is opened in the intermediate bottom wall portion, and the pair of lid pieces in the upright state are stored in the lid storage portion below the storage portion, an in-vehicle box device described in [Aspect 1] or [Aspect 2].

[0012] According to the above configuration, when the opening is opened, the pair of lid pieces are folded around the connecting portion as a fulcrum and overlapped in an upright state. The pair of upright lid pieces pass through the opening in the intermediate bottom wall portion and are accommodated in the lid accommodating portion. The pair of lid pieces are held in an upright state by the lid accommodating portion, and the opening is opened.

[0013] Here, the lid accommodating portion is located below the storage portion in the internal space. The pair of upright lid pieces are accommodated in the lid accommodating portion below the storage portion. Neither the lid accommodating portion nor the pair of upright lid pieces enters the storage portion. Therefore, the lid accommodating portion and the pair of lid pieces accommodated in the lid accommodating portion do not interfere with the storage of items in the storage portion.

[0014] [Aspect 4] In the upright state, the connecting portion is located at the lower end of the pair of overlapping lid pieces, and switching between the unfolded state and the upright state is performed with the connecting portion positioned at the opening and above the entrance / exit.A box device for use in a vehicle described in any one of [Aspect 1] to [Aspect 3].

[0015] According to the above configuration, the pair of lid pieces are accommodated in the lid accommodating portion in an upright state, and in the upright state, the connecting portion is located at the lower end of the pair of overlapping lid pieces. When the pair of lid pieces in the upright state are unfolded, they are taken out upward from the lid accommodating portion through the opening while being maintained in the upright state.

[0016] As the container is removed, the connecting portion is raised to the opening above the entrance, and the pair of lid pieces are then tilted to opposite sides, using the connecting portion as a fulcrum. The pair of lid pieces are smoothly switched from an upright state to an unfolded state.

[0017] Conversely, when the pair of lid pieces are switched from the unfolded state to the upright state, the connecting portion between the two lid pieces is positioned at the opening and above the entrance. In this state, the pair of lid pieces are raised toward each other, using the connecting portion as a fulcrum. The pair of lid pieces are folded and overlapped in the upright state, allowing for a smooth switch from the unfolded state to the upright state.

[0018] [Aspect 5] The box body has a pair of opposing wall portions that face each other in a direction along the vehicle floor, with the internal space portion sandwiched between them, and the portion of the internal space portion below the intermediate bottom wall portion forms a lower space portion, and the space portion of the lower space portion between one of the opposing wall portions and the lid storage portion forms a lower auxiliary storage portion, and when the entrance / exit is considered to be a first entrance / exit, one of the opposing wall portions has a second entrance / exit, and a lower item storage box with an open upper end is stored in the lower auxiliary storage portion so that it can be pulled out to the outside of the box body through the second entrance / exit, and a front lower wall portion that forms part of one of the opposing wall portions is provided at the front end portion in the pulling-out direction of the lower item storage box, and the front lower wall portion blocks the second entrance / exit when the lower item storage box is stored in the lower auxiliary storage portion.This is an in-vehicle box device described in [Aspect 3].

[0019] According to the above configuration, the space between one of the opposing walls and the lid accommodating portion in the lower space is used as the lower auxiliary accommodating portion. When the lower item storage box is stored in the lower auxiliary storage section, the second entrance is blocked by the front lower wall portion that forms part of one of the opposing walls.

[0020] When the lower storage box is pulled out to the outside of the box body through the second entrance, it becomes possible to put items into or take items out of the lower storage box through the open portion at the top end of the lower storage box.

[0021] Furthermore, when the lower item storage box is moved (inserted) in the direction opposite to the pull-out direction, the lower item storage box is stored in the lower auxiliary storage section. When a lower item storage box containing an item is moved (inserted), the item is stored in the lower auxiliary storage section together with the lower item storage box.

[0022] In this way, with the above configuration, it is possible to increase the number of places for storing items without increasing the external dimensions of the box body. [Effects of the Invention]

[0023] According to the present invention, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in designing the dimensions of the outer shape. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0024] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vehicle interior box device in one embodiment, the opening of which is closed by a pair of lid pieces. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the in-vehicle box device in the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a plan view of the in-vehicle box device in the embodiment, the opening of which is closed by a pair of lid pieces. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the in-vehicle box device in the embodiment, in which the pair of upright lid pieces are accommodated in the lid accommodating portion, thereby opening the opening. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a vehicle interior box device in which a plurality of types of articles are stored in the above embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 and is a plan view of the in-vehicle box device in which the pair of upright lid pieces are accommodated in the lid accommodating portion, thereby opening the opening. [Figure 7] 7 is a side cross-sectional view of the in-vehicle box device of FIG. [Figure 8]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the in-vehicle box device in the embodiment, in which the pair of lid pieces are in the process of being switched from the unfolded state to the upright state. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the movement of the pair of lid pieces when switching from the unfolded state to the upright state in the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating the movement of the pair of lid pieces switched to the upright state when they are accommodated in the lid accommodating portion in the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a vehicle interior box device will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the forward direction of the vehicle 10 is referred to as the front, and the backward direction is referred to as the rear. Furthermore, the up-down direction refers to the up-down direction of the vehicle 10, and the left-right direction refers to the width direction of the vehicle, which coincides with the left-right direction when the vehicle 10 is moving forward.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the in-vehicle box device 20 is mounted on a floor 12 in a passenger compartment 11 of a vehicle 10, between a pair of seats adjacent in the left-right direction, in this embodiment, between a driver's seat 13 and a passenger seat 14. The in-vehicle box device 20 includes a box body 21, a lid 40, and a lid accommodating portion 47 (see Figure 7). Next, each part constituting the in-vehicle box device 20 will be described.

[0027] <Box body 21> The box body 21 forms the framework of the in-vehicle box device 20. The box body 21 has a shape that is longer in the front-to-rear direction than in the left-to-right direction. As shown in FIG. 7, the box body 21 has a lower bottom wall portion 22 at its lower part. The lower bottom wall portion 22 has a plate shape that is longer in the front-to-rear direction than in the left-to-right direction. The box body 21 has an internal space portion 23 inside. The internal space portion 23 is adjacent to the upper side of the lower bottom wall portion 22.

[0028] 4, 6, and 7, the box body 21 has an intermediate bottom wall portion 29 in the vertical middle of the internal space 23. The intermediate bottom wall portion 29 is located above the lower bottom wall portion 22 and has the same outer shape as the lower bottom wall portion 22.

[0029] A lower space 26 is defined by a portion of the interior space 23 below the intermediate bottom wall 29. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 , a pair of lower opposing walls 31, 32 and a pair of lower wall portions 33 are formed between the lower bottom wall 22 and the intermediate bottom wall 29. Each of the lower opposing walls 31, 32 has a plate shape extending in the left-right and up-down directions. The front lower opposing wall 31 connects the front edge of the lower bottom wall 22 to the front edge of the intermediate bottom wall 29. The rear lower opposing wall 32 connects the rear edge of the lower bottom wall 22 to the rear edge of the intermediate bottom wall 29. The pair of lower opposing walls 31, 32 face each other in the front-rear direction, which is one of the directions along the floor 12.

[0030] Each lower wall portion 33 has a plate shape extending in the front-rear and up-down directions. Each lower wall portion 33 connects a side edge of the lower bottom wall portion 22 to a side edge of the intermediate bottom wall portion 29. The pair of lower wall portions 33 face each other in the left-right direction.

[0031] The space surrounded by the lower bottom wall 22, the intermediate bottom wall 29, the pair of lower opposing walls 31, 32, and the pair of lower side walls 33 constitutes the lower space . As shown in Figures 4, 6, and 7, at least the upper portion of the interior space 23, i.e., in this embodiment, the portion above the intermediate bottom wall portion 29, constitutes the upper storage portion 24. More specifically, a pair of upper opposing walls 34, 35 and a pair of upper wall portions 36 are formed on the intermediate bottom wall portion 29. Each of the upper opposing walls 34, 35 has a plate shape extending in the left-right and up-down directions. The front upper opposing wall portion 34 is located a certain distance rearward from the front edge of the intermediate bottom wall portion 29. The rear upper opposing wall portion 35 is located a certain distance forward from the rear edge of the intermediate bottom wall portion 29. The pair of upper opposing walls 34, 35 face each other in the front-rear direction, which is one direction along the floor 12. Therefore, the distance between the pair of upper opposing walls 34, 35 is shorter than the length of the intermediate bottom wall portion 29 in the front-rear direction.

[0032] Each upper wall portion 36 has a plate shape that extends in the front-rear and up-down directions. Each upper wall portion 36 is located on a side edge portion of the intermediate bottom wall portion 29. The pair of upper wall portions 36 face each other in the left-right direction.

[0033] The space surrounded by the intermediate bottom wall 29, the pair of upper opposing walls 34, 35, and the pair of upper side walls 36 constitutes the upper storage section 24. The upper storage section 24 has an opening 25 at its upper end. The opening 25 is located at a position higher than the intermediate bottom wall 29. The upper storage section 24 is provided as a storage section for storing relatively large items G1, such as bags.

[0034] The lower opposing wall portion 31 and the upper opposing wall portion 34 form a front opposing wall portion 37. The lower opposing wall portion 32 and the upper opposing wall portion 35 form a rear opposing wall portion 37. These pair of opposing walls 37 face each other in the same direction, sandwiching the internal space portion 23 from both sides in the front-rear direction.

[0035] The lower wall portion 33 and the upper wall portion 36 on the same side in the left-right direction are connected in the vertical direction to form a side wall portion 38. The pair of side wall portions 38 in the left-right direction face each other in the same direction, sandwiching the internal space portion 23 from both sides in the left-right direction.

[0036] <Lid 40 and lid accommodating portion 47> As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 , the lid 40 is used to open and close the opening 25. The lid 40 is formed by connecting a pair of lid pieces 41, 43 in a foldable manner at a connecting portion 45. Each of the lid pieces 41, 43 may be formed entirely of a hard resin material to function as a tray. In this case, the peripheral edge of the upper surface of the lid 40 may be formed to protrude upward relative to other portions of the upper surface. Each of the lid pieces 41, 43 may also be flexible and function as an armrest. In this case, each of the lid pieces 41, 43 may be formed, for example, of a base material formed of a hard resin material, a cushion layer made of foam laminated on the base material, and a cover laminated on the cushion layer.

[0037] The connecting portion 45 is configured by a shaft extending in the left-right direction. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 45 is configured by one shaft, but may be configured by two shafts. A protrusion 42 is provided at the end of the lid piece 41 facing the lid piece 43. A protrusion 44 is provided at the end of the lid piece 43 facing the lid piece 41. A connecting portion 45 is inserted into the protrusions 42, 44. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8, the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 can be bent with the connecting portion 45 as a fulcrum. As shown in FIG. 3, both ends of the connecting portion 45 in the left-right direction protrude outward from the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 in the same direction.

[0038] In addition, a grip portion (not shown) made of a tab or the like is attached to the end portion of the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 opposite to the connecting portion 45. 3 and 9, the lid 40 closes the opening 25 when the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 are deployed in the opening 25. In the deployed state, the lid pieces 41, 43 are horizontal along the floor 12. In the deployed state, the connecting portion 45 is located at the boundary between the pair of lid pieces 41, 43.

[0039] 6 and 9, stepped protrusions 39 that protrude inward of the opening 25 are formed in the upper portions of the upper opposing wall portions 34, 35 and the pair of upper wall portions 36, at locations adjacent to the lower side of the peripheral edge of the opening 25. The stepped protrusions 39 have the function of supporting the peripheral edges of the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 from below when the lid pieces 41, 43 are in the unfolded state.

[0040] 9, the lid 40 is folded by rotating the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 about the connecting portion 45. As the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 are folded, they are stacked together in an upright state. In the upright state, the connecting portion 45 is located at the lower end of the pair of stacked lid pieces 41, 43.

[0041] In this embodiment, the front-to-rear dimensions of each lid piece 41, 43 in the unfolded state are set to be the same. Therefore, when the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 are unfolded, the connecting portion 45 is located at the center of the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 in the front-to-rear direction. Furthermore, when the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 are in the upright state, the heights of both lid pieces 41, 43 are the same.

[0042] 6 and 7, a lid accommodating portion 47 for accommodating the pair of upright lid pieces 41, 43 is provided in the inner space 23 at a location lower than the opening 25. The lid accommodating portion 47 is provided in the intermediate portion between the pair of lower opposing wall portions 31, 32 in the front-rear direction, i.e., in the center in this embodiment. The lower space 26 of the inner space 23 is divided into two spaces in the front-rear direction by the lid accommodating portion 47.

[0043] The lid accommodating portion 47 has a pair of accommodating walls 48 that extend in the left-right and up-down directions and are spaced a certain distance from each other in the front-to-rear direction. The certain distance is a distance slightly larger than the front-to-back dimensions of the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 in an upright state. The lid accommodating portion 47 (accommodating walls 48) faces the pair of lower opposing walls 31, 32.

[0044] The lid storage section 47 is formed by the pair of storage walls 48, a portion of the lower bottom wall 22, a portion of the intermediate bottom wall 29, and a portion of each of the pair of side walls 38 (lower wall 33). The lower bottom wall 22 has the function of receiving the pair of upright lid pieces 41, 43 from below. The pair of storage walls 48 have the function of supporting the pair of upright lid pieces 41, 43 from both sides in the front-to-rear direction.

[0045] The lid accommodating portion 47 has a first entrance 49 at its upper end portion. The first entrance 49 is provided as an entrance for the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 in the standing state. In this embodiment, the first entrance 49 opens at a location on the intermediate bottom wall portion 29 that is above and between the pair of accommodating wall portions 48. The first entrance 49 is formed in a shape and size that allows the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 in the standing state to pass through.

[0046] The pair of lid pieces 41, 43 in the upright state are accommodated in the lid accommodating portion 47 below the upper accommodating portion 24, thereby opening the opening 25. 9, the operation of switching the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 from the unfolded state to the standing state, and the operation of switching from the standing state to the unfolded state, are performed with the connecting portion 45 positioned at the opening 25 and above the first entrance 49. The switching can be performed, for example, by pinching the knobs (not shown) of each of the lid pieces 41, 43 with the fingers.

[0047] <Guide groove 51> As shown in Figures 4, 7, and 8, a guide groove 51 extending linearly in the up-down direction is formed in the inner portion of each side wall portion 38 in the left-right direction. The guide groove 51 of each side wall portion 38 is formed in the middle portion of the internal space 23 in the front-rear direction, that is, in the center portion in this embodiment. The guide grooves 51 of each side wall portion 38 face each other in the left-right direction. Each guide groove 51 has a groove width slightly wider than the diameter of the connecting portion 45. The portion of the connecting portion 45 that protrudes outward in the left-right direction from the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 fits into the corresponding guide groove 51. Each guide groove 51 has the function of guiding the up-down movement of the connecting portion 45.

[0048] 4, 5, and 7, the in-vehicle box device 20 is provided with auxiliary storage sections for storing items G2, G3, and G4 that are smaller than the item G1. In this embodiment, the auxiliary storage sections include a lower auxiliary storage section 27, a front upper auxiliary storage section 60, and a rear upper auxiliary storage section 70.

[0049] <Lower auxiliary storage compartment 27> As mentioned above, the lower space 26 is divided into two spaces in the front-rear direction by the lid accommodating portion 47 disposed in the middle between the pair of lower opposing wall portions 31, 32. This increases the number of uses for the lower space 26 compared to when the lower space 26 is not divided.

[0050] In this embodiment, the space between the front lower opposing wall portion 31 and the lid accommodating portion 47 in the lower space portion 26 serves as the lower auxiliary accommodating portion 27. A second entrance / exit 53 is formed in the lower opposing wall portion 31 of the front opposing wall portion 37.

[0051] A lower item storage box 54 is housed in the lower auxiliary storage section 27 so that it can be pulled out to the outside of the box main body 21, or in this embodiment, to the front of the box main body 21, through the second entrance 53. The lower item storage box 54 has a bottomed box shape with an open top. The front end of the lower item storage box 54 in the pulling direction is formed by a front lower wall portion 55. The front lower wall portion 55 forms the lower opposing wall portion 31, which is part of the front opposing wall portion 37. The front lower wall portion 55 closes the second entrance 53 when the lower item storage box 54 is housed in the lower auxiliary storage section 27. When the front lower wall portion 55 closes the second entrance 53, it functions as the lower opposing wall portion 31 described above.

[0052] In this embodiment, the space between the rear lower opposing wall portion 32 and the lid accommodating portion 47 of the lower space portion 26 is not used as a lower auxiliary storage portion, unlike the space between the front lower opposing wall portion 31 and the lid accommodating portion 47.

[0053] <Front upper auxiliary storage section 60> The front upper auxiliary storage section 60 is provided in front of the upper storage section 24. A front upper wall section 61 is formed on each of the left-right side edge sections of the intermediate bottom wall section 29, forward of the front upper opposing wall section 34. Each front upper wall section 61 is in the shape of a plate extending in the front-rear and up-down directions. Each front upper wall section 61 is formed in a state of being continuous forward with the upper wall section 36. Each front upper wall section 61 is formed in a state of being continuous upward with the lower wall section 33. The pair of front upper wall sections 61 face each other in the left-right direction.

[0054] The space surrounded by the portion of the intermediate bottom wall 29 forward of the front upper opposing wall 34, the front upper opposing wall 34, and the pair of front upper walls 61 constitutes an upper front auxiliary storage section 60. The front and upper ends of the upper front auxiliary storage section 60 are both open. The open portion at the front end of the upper front auxiliary storage section 60 constitutes a third entrance / exit 62.

[0055] The front upper auxiliary storage section 60 accommodates an upper front item storage box 63 so that it can be pulled out of the box main body 21, or in this embodiment, forward of the box main body 21, through the third entrance 62. The top and rear ends of the upper front item storage box 63 are open. The front end of the upper front item storage box 63 is formed by a front upper wall portion 64. The front upper wall portion 64 closes the third entrance 62 when the upper front item storage box 63 is accommodated in the front upper auxiliary storage section 60.

[0056] <Rear upper auxiliary storage section 70> The rear upper auxiliary storage section 70 is provided rearward of the upper storage section 24. A rear upper wall section 71 is formed on each of the left-right side edge sections of the intermediate bottom wall section 29, rearward of the rear upper opposing wall section 35. Each rear upper wall section 71 has a plate shape extending in the front-rear and up-down directions. Each rear upper wall section 71 is formed in a state where it is continuous rearward with the upper wall section 36. Each rear upper wall section 71 is formed in a state where it is continuous upward with the lower wall section 33. The pair of rear upper wall sections 71 face each other in the left-right direction.

[0057] The space surrounded by the portion of the intermediate bottom wall 29 rearward of the rear upper opposing wall 35, the rear upper opposing wall 35, and the pair of rear upper walls 71 constitutes a rear upper auxiliary storage section 70. The rear and upper ends of the rear upper auxiliary storage section 70 are both open. The open portion at the rear end of the rear upper auxiliary storage section 70 constitutes a fourth entrance / exit 72.

[0058] A rear upper item storage box 73 is stored in the rear upper auxiliary storage section 70 so that it can be pulled out to the outside of the box main body 21, or in this embodiment, to the rear of the box main body 21, through the fourth entrance 72. The top and front ends of the rear upper item storage box 73 are both open. The rear end of the rear upper item storage box 73 is formed by a rear upper wall portion 74. The rear upper wall portion 74 closes the fourth entrance 72 when the rear upper item storage box 73 is stored in the rear upper auxiliary storage section 70.

[0059] <Operation of this embodiment> 1, 3, and 9, when the in-vehicle box device 20 is used, the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 are unfolded in the opening 25 to close the opening 25. At this time, the peripheral edges of the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 are placed on the stepped protrusions 39. The pair of lid pieces 41, 43 are supported from below by the stepped protrusions 39 and are thereby maintained in the unfolded state.

[0060] When the opening 25 is opened, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, both lid pieces 41, 43 are bent so as to protrude upward, with the connecting portion 45 as a fulcrum, with the connecting portion 45 positioned at the opening 25 and above the first entrance / exit 49.

[0061] During this folding, for example, the tabs of the lid pieces 41, 43 are pinched with fingers and pulled up, bringing them closer to each other in the front-to-rear direction. The lid piece 41 is rotated rearward and upward around the connecting portion 45, and the lid piece 43 is rotated frontward and upward around the connecting portion 45. These rotations cause the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 to overlap in an upright state, as shown in Figures 9 and 10. The connecting portion 45 is located at the lower end of the pair of overlapping lid pieces 41, 43. In this way, the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 can be smoothly switched from the unfolded state to the upright state.

[0062] The pair of upright lid pieces 41, 43 are lowered. This lowering can be achieved, for example, by pinching the tabs of each lid piece 41, 43 with fingers and lowering them. The pair of upright lid pieces 41, 43 pass through the first entrance 49 and enter the lid accommodating portion 47 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. During the above-mentioned lowering, the connecting portion 45 moves downward along the guide groove 51. At this time, as shown in FIG. 10, the guide groove 51 guides the downward movement of the connecting portion 45.

[0063] When the upper ends of the upright lid pieces 41, 43 are lowered below the opening 25, the opening 25 is opened. As shown by the two-dot chain line in Figure 10, when the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 are lowered until they contact the lower bottom wall portion 22, both lid pieces 41, 43 are accommodated in the lid accommodating portion 47. The lid pieces 41, 43 are held in an upright state by the lid accommodating portion 47.

[0064] Here, the lid accommodating portion 47 is located below the upper storage portion 24. The pair of lid pieces 41, 43 in the standing state are accommodated in the lid accommodating portion 47 below the upper storage portion 24. In other words, the upper ends of the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 in the standing state are located below the upper storage portion 24. Neither the lid accommodating portion 47 nor the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 in the standing state enter the upper storage portion 24.

[0065] The dimension of the upper storage section 24 in the front-to-rear direction is larger than the dimensions in the same direction of the other auxiliary storage sections, the lower auxiliary storage section 27, the front upper auxiliary storage section 60, and the rear upper auxiliary storage section 70. Moreover, the upper storage section 24 has an opening 25 at its upper end. The dimension of the opening 25 in the front-to-rear direction is larger than the dimension in the same direction of the open portions at the upper ends of the other auxiliary storage sections. Therefore, as shown in Figures 5 and 7, it is possible to store a relatively large item G1, such as a bag, in the upper storage section 24.

[0066] 10, when the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 housed in the lid housing portion 47 are unfolded, the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 are maintained in an upright state and are removed upward from the lid housing portion 47 through the first entrance 49. This removal is performed, for example, by pinching the grip portion of each of the lid pieces 41, 43 with fingers and pulling it up.

[0067] When the connector 45 is removed, the connector 45 moves upward along the guide groove 51. At this time, the guide groove 51 guides the upward movement of the connector 45. As the contents are removed, the connecting portion 45 is raised to the opening 25 and above the first entrance 49. As shown in Fig. 9, the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 are tilted by being rotated in opposite directions in the front-to-rear direction around the connecting portion 45 as a fulcrum. That is, the lid piece 41 is tilted forward by being rotated downward and forward. The lid piece 43 is tilted rearward by being rotated downward and rearward.

[0068] As the lid pieces 41, 43 rotate, the peripheral edges thereof come into contact with the stepped protrusions 39, and further rotation is restricted by the stepped protrusions 39. In this way, the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 can be smoothly switched from the upright state to the unfolded state.

[0069] 7, when the opening 25 is opened, the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 are accommodated in a lid accommodating portion 47 located in the inner space 23 of the box body 21 at a position lower than the opening 25. Therefore, unlike conventional in-vehicle box devices, the dimensions of the outer shapes of the box body 21 and the in-vehicle box device 20 are less likely to be restricted by the lid accommodating portion 47.

[0070] In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7, the space between the front lower opposing wall portion 31 and the lid accommodating portion 47 in the lower space portion 26 is used as a lower auxiliary accommodating portion 27.

[0071] When the lower item storage box 54 is stored in the lower auxiliary storage section 27, the second entrance / exit 53 is blocked by the front lower wall section 55 which constitutes part of the front opposing wall section 37 (the lower opposing wall section 31). When the lower item storage box 54 is pulled forward through the second entrance 53, the open portion at the top end of the lower item storage box 54 is exposed from the lower auxiliary storage section 27. Therefore, through this exposed open portion, it becomes possible to put an item G2 into or take out an item G2 from the lower item storage box 54 in front of the box main body 21. Examples of the item G2 include, but are not limited to, a sunglasses case and a foldable sunshade.

[0072] Furthermore, when the lower item storage box 54 is moved (inserted) backward, which is the opposite direction to the pull-out direction, the lower item storage box 54 is stored in the lower auxiliary storage section 27. When the lower item storage box 54 containing the item G2 is inserted, the item G2 is stored in the lower auxiliary storage section 27 together with the lower item storage box 54.

[0073] Furthermore, in this embodiment, an upper front article storage box 63 is housed in the upper front auxiliary storage section 60 located in front of the upper storage section 24 so as to be able to be pulled out. Here, the upper end of the front upper auxiliary storage section 60 is open, and the upper and rear ends of the front upper item storage box 63 are also open. As shown by solid lines in FIG. 7 , when the front upper item storage box 63 is stored in the front upper auxiliary storage section 60, the open portion at the top of the front upper item storage box 63 is positioned (overlapping) with the open portion at the top of the front upper auxiliary storage section 60. The dimensions of both open portions in the front-to-rear direction are small. Therefore, an item with a small dimension in the front-to-rear direction, such as a plate-shaped item G3, can be placed in and taken out of the front upper auxiliary storage section 60 and the front upper item storage box 63 through both open portions at the top. Examples of the item G3 include, but are not limited to, a smartphone, a mobile phone, etc. In this case, the item G3 may be placed in the front upper auxiliary storage section 60 and the front upper item storage box 63 in an inclined state so that the upper part is positioned more forward. The front upper wall portion 64 receives the article G3 from the front lower side, thereby maintaining the article G3 in an inclined state.

[0074] 7, when the upper front item storage box 63 is pulled forward through the third entrance 62, the openings of both the upper front auxiliary storage section 60 and the upper front item storage box 63 are expanded forward. Therefore, it becomes possible to put items larger than the above-mentioned item G3 into or take them out of the upper front auxiliary storage section 60 and the upper front item storage box 63 through the openings.

[0075] The upper front item storage box 63 is accommodated in the upper front auxiliary storage section 60 by moving (inserting) the upper front item storage box 63 that has been pulled out forward as described above rearward. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a rear upper accessory storage box 73 is accommodated in a rear upper auxiliary storage section 70 located behind the upper storage section 24 so as to be able to be pulled out.

[0076] Here, in addition to the upper end of the upper rear auxiliary storage section 70 being open, the upper and front ends of the upper rear item storage box 73 are also open. As shown by the solid lines in FIG. 7 , when the upper rear item storage box 73 is stored in the upper rear auxiliary storage section 70, the open portion at the upper end of the upper rear item storage box 73 is positioned (overlaps) with the open portion at the upper end of the upper rear auxiliary storage section 70, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 . The dimensions of both open portions in the front-to-rear direction are small. Therefore, it is possible to put in and take out an item with a small dimension in the front-to-rear direction, such as a plate-shaped item like the above-mentioned item G3, from the upper rear auxiliary storage section 70 and the upper rear item storage box 73 through both open portions at the top ends.

[0077] 7, when the upper rear item storage box 73 is pulled rearward through the fourth entrance 72, the openings of both the upper rear auxiliary storage section 70 and the upper rear item storage box 73 are expanded rearward. This makes it possible to put in or take out an item G4 that is larger in the front-to-rear direction than the items that can be stored in the upper rear auxiliary storage section 70 and the upper rear item storage box 73 stored therein, into or from the upper rear auxiliary storage section 70 and the upper rear item storage box 73. Examples of the item G4 include, but are not limited to, beverage containers such as cups with lids, beverage cans, and plastic bottles.

[0078] The upper rear article storage box 73 that has been pulled out rearward as described above is moved (inserted) forward and stored in the upper rear auxiliary storage section 70. <Effects of this embodiment> (1) As shown in Figures 7, 9, and 10, a lid accommodating portion 47 extending in the vertical direction is provided in the internal space 23 of the box body 21 at a location lower than the opening 25 of the upper storage portion 24. When the opening 25 is closed, the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 are unfolded at the opening 25 (see the solid lines in Figure 9). When the opening 25 is open, the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 are stacked in an upright state and accommodated in the lid accommodating portion 47 (see Figure 7).

[0079] Therefore, it is not necessary to design the external dimensions of the box body 21 to be small in order to install the lid accommodating portion 47. Also, it is not necessary to design the external dimensions of the in-vehicle box device 20 to be large in order to install the lid accommodating portion 47. As a result, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in designing the external dimensions of the in-vehicle box device 20.

[0080] (2) As shown in Fig. 7, the lower space 26 in the inner space 23 is divided into two spaces in the front-rear direction by the lid accommodating portion 47 located in the middle between the pair of lower opposing wall portions 31, 32. This allows for more uses of the inner space 23 than when the lower space 26 is not divided.

[0081] (3) In relation to (2) above, the lower auxiliary storage section 27 is defined by the space between the front lower opposing wall section 31 and the lid storage section 47 in the lower space section 26. A second entrance 53 is formed in the lower opposing wall section 31 of the front opposing wall section 37. A lower item storage box 54 with an open upper end is stored in the lower auxiliary storage section 27 so that it can be pulled out forward through the second entrance 53. A front lower wall section 55 is provided at the front end of the lower item storage box 54 in the pulling-out direction. The front lower wall section 55 closes the second entrance 53 when the lower item storage box 54 is stored in the lower auxiliary storage section 27.

[0082] Therefore, when the lower item storage box 54 is pulled forward through the second entrance 53, the item G2 can be put into or taken out of the lower item storage box 54 through the open portion at the top end of the lower item storage box 54. Also, by moving (inserting) the lower item storage box 54 rearward, the item G2 can be stored in the lower auxiliary storage section 27 together with the lower item storage box 54.

[0083] In this way, it is possible to increase the number of places for storing the items G2 without increasing the dimensions of the outer shape of the box body 21. (4) As shown in FIG. 7 , the box body 21 has an intermediate bottom wall portion 29 in the vertical middle of the internal space portion 23. The portion of the internal space portion 23 above the intermediate bottom wall portion 29 constitutes the upper storage portion 24. The lid accommodating portion 47 is provided below the upper storage portion 24. A first entrance / exit 49 opens in the intermediate bottom wall portion 29. The pair of upright lid pieces 41, 43 are accommodated in the lid accommodating portion 47 below the upper storage portion 24. Therefore, the lid accommodating portion 47 and the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 in the upright state can be prevented from interfering with the storage of the article G1 in the upper storage portion 24.

[0084] (5) As shown in Figures 9 and 10, in the unfolded state, the connecting portion 45 is located at the boundary (the middle portion in the front-rear direction) between the pair of lid pieces 41, 43. In the upright state, the connecting portion 45 is located at the lower end of the pair of overlapping lid pieces 41, 43. Switching between the unfolded state and the upright state is performed with the connecting portion 45 located at the opening 25 and above the first entrance 49. Therefore, switching between the unfolded state and the upright state can be performed smoothly.

[0085] (6) The box body 21 is longer in the front-to-rear direction than in the left-to-right direction. The pair of lower opposing wall portions 31, 32 face each other in the front-to-rear direction. The lid accommodating portion 47 faces the lower opposing wall portions 31, 32 in the front-to-rear direction. Therefore, the thickness dimension of the lid accommodating portion 47 has no effect on the left-to-right dimension of the box body 21, or if any, it has only a small effect. Therefore, it is possible to set the left-to-right dimension of the box body 21 larger.

[0086] In particular, in this embodiment in which the in-vehicle box device 20 is disposed between the driver's seat 13 and the passenger seat 14, the dimension of the box body 21 in the left-right direction is more restricted than the dimension in the front-rear direction. Therefore, the in-vehicle box device 20 having the above-described configuration in which the lid accommodating portions 47 are disposed so as to face each other in the front-rear direction together with the lid pieces 41, 43 is particularly effective in this embodiment in which the in-vehicle box device 20 is disposed between the driver's seat 13 and the passenger seat 14 that are adjacent in the left-right direction.

[0087] (7) The storage wall 48 of the lid storage section 47 is provided in the intermediate portion between the pair of opposing wall portions 37 (lower opposing wall portions 31, 32) in the front-rear direction. Each storage wall portion 48 is plate-shaped and extends in the left-right and up-down directions. Therefore, the lid storage section 47 has a smaller effect on the dimensions of the lower auxiliary storage section 27 in the left-right direction than when the storage wall portion 48 extending in the front-rear and up-down directions is provided in the intermediate portion between the pair of side wall portions 38 (lower wall portion 33) in the left-right direction.

[0088] Therefore, the above-described configuration in which the storage wall 48 is provided in the middle of the opposing wall 37 (lower opposing wall 31, 32) is advantageous in increasing the dimensions of the lower auxiliary storage section 27 and the lower item storage box 54 in the left-right direction.

[0089] <Example of change> This embodiment can be modified as follows: This embodiment and the following modifications can be combined and implemented within the scope of technical compatibility.

[0090] (Matters regarding the box body 21) The intermediate bottom wall portion 29 may be omitted. In this case, the upper storage portion 24 and the lower space portion 26 are connected in the vertical direction. In other words, the upper storage portion 24 is expanded downward by the amount of the lower space portion 26.

[0091] In the above modified example, the lid accommodating portion 47 may be extended upward relative to the above embodiment. For example, the lid accommodating portion 47 may be extended to a position directly below the opening 25. Furthermore, the lid accommodating portion 47 may be extended to a position between the opening 25 and the intermediate bottom wall portion 29 before it is omitted.

[0092] Of the lower space 26, the space between the rear lower opposing wall 32 and the lid accommodating section 47 may be used as a lower auxiliary storage section for storing items, similar to the space between the front lower opposing wall 31 and the lid accommodating section 47 (lower auxiliary storage section 27).

[0093] The lower auxiliary storage section 27 may be omitted. That is, the space between the front lower opposing wall section 31 and the lid storage section 47 in the lower space section 26 may not be used as the lower auxiliary storage section 27, but may be modified to have the same structure as the space between the rear lower opposing wall section 32 and the lid storage section 47.

[0094] One or both of the front upper auxiliary storage section 60 and the rear upper auxiliary storage section 70 may be omitted. In accordance with the omission of the front upper auxiliary storage section 60, the upper opposing wall section 34 may be formed at the front edge of the intermediate bottom wall section 29. In this modified example, the lower opposing wall section 31 and the upper opposing wall section 34 are continuous in the up-down direction on the same plane.

[0095] Furthermore, in conjunction with the omission of the rear upper auxiliary storage section 70, the upper opposing wall section 35 may be formed at the rear edge of the intermediate bottom wall section 29. In this modified example, the lower opposing wall section 32 and the upper opposing wall section 35 are continuous in the up-down direction on the same plane.

[0096] (Regarding Lid 40) The lid 40 may be configured such that the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 are foldably connected by a connecting portion made of an integral hinge instead of an axis. The integral hinge is a hinge constituted by a thin portion integrally formed between the pair of lid pieces 41, 43.

[0097] In the above modification, for example, the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 and the integral hinge are integrally formed from a resin material. The integral hinge bends more easily than the pair of lid pieces 41, 43. Therefore, the pair of lid pieces 41, 43 can be bent with the integral hinge as a fulcrum.

[0098] The pair of lid pieces 41, 43 may be foldably connected by a connecting portion made of a flexible sheet, for example, a rubber sheet, instead of an integral hinge. The front-rear dimensions of the lid pieces 41, 43 in the unfolded state may be different from each other. In this case, the position of the lid accommodating portion 47 in the front-rear direction is changed to a location other than the center, provided that it is located in the middle between the pair of lower opposing wall portions 31, 32.

[0099] The lid 40 may be configured to be removable from the box body 21 when closing an open opening 25 or when opening a closed opening 25. In this case, similar to the above embodiment, the pair of overlapping lid pieces 41, 43 may be accommodated in the lid accommodating portion 47 in an upright state where the connecting portion 45 is located at the lower end of the pair of overlapping lid pieces 41, 43. Alternatively, the pair of overlapping lid pieces 41, 43 may be accommodated in the lid accommodating portion 47 in an upright state where the connecting portion 45 is located at the upper end of the pair of overlapping lid pieces 41, 43.

[0100] The pair of upright lid pieces 41, 43 may enter the upper storage section 24 while being housed in the lid storage section 47. (Matters related to the storage wall 48) The storage wall 48 may extend in the front-rear and up-down directions instead of in the left-right and up-down directions. The storage wall 48 may be provided in the middle between a pair of side walls 38 (lower walls 33) in the left-right direction. In this modification, each storage wall 48 faces a side wall 38 (lower wall 33) in the left-right direction.

[0101] (Other matters) A rail member (not shown) extending in the front-rear direction may be laid on the floor 12. The mounting position of the in-vehicle box device 20 in the front-rear direction relative to the rail member may be changed depending on the situation. [Explanation of symbols]

[0102] 10...Vehicle 12...Floor 20...In-car box device 21...Box body 23...Inner space 24...Upper storage area (storage area) 25...Opening 26…Lower space 27...Lower auxiliary storage area 29...Intermediate bottom wall 37...Opposite wall 40...Lid 41, 43...Lid pieces 45...Connection part 47...Lid housing 49…1st entrance / exit (entrance / exit) 53…Second entrance / exit 54...Undergarment storage box 55...Front lower wall part

Claims

1. An in-vehicle box device to be mounted in a vehicle interior, The box includes a box body having an internal space therein and a lid, The internal space includes a storage section at least at an upper portion thereof, the storage section having an opening at an upper end thereof, The lid is configured by connecting a pair of lid pieces at a connecting portion in a bendable manner, a lid accommodating portion extending in a vertical direction is provided in the inner space portion at a location lower than the opening portion, The pair of lid pieces close the opening by being deployed at the opening, The pair of lid pieces are folded around the connecting portion as a fulcrum, so that the lid is superimposed on the other in an upright state, and is accommodated in the lid accommodating portion in the upright state, so that the opening is opened; The lid accommodating portion has an entrance and exit for the pair of lid pieces in the upright state at an upper end thereof.

2. the box body includes a pair of opposing wall portions that face each other in a direction along the vehicle floor with the internal space portion sandwiched therebetween, The vehicle interior box device according to claim 1 , wherein the lid accommodating portion is provided in a middle portion between the pair of opposing wall portions in a state where the lid accommodating portion faces the pair of opposing wall portions.

3. The box body includes an intermediate bottom wall portion at an intermediate portion of the internal space in the up-down direction, a portion of the inner space above the intermediate bottom wall portion constitutes the storage portion; The lid accommodating portion is provided below the accommodating portion, The entrance is opened in the intermediate bottom wall portion, The vehicle interior box device according to claim 1 , wherein the pair of lid pieces in the upright state are accommodated in the lid accommodating portion below the accommodating portion.

4. In the upright state, the connecting portion is located at the lower end of the pair of overlapping lid pieces, 2. The in-vehicle box device according to claim 1, wherein the switching between the unfolded state and the upright state is performed with the connecting portion positioned at a location that is the opening and above the doorway.

5. the box body includes a pair of opposing wall portions that face each other in a direction along the vehicle floor with the internal space portion sandwiched therebetween, a portion of the inner space below the intermediate bottom wall portion constitutes a lower space portion, a space between one of the opposing walls and the lid accommodating portion in the lower space portion forms a lower auxiliary accommodating portion, When the entrance is a first entrance, a second entrance is formed in one of the opposing walls, The lower auxiliary storage section accommodates a lower item storage box having an open upper end so that the box can be pulled out to the outside of the box body through the second entrance, a front lower wall portion that constitutes a part of one of the opposing walls is provided at a front end portion in a pull-out direction of the lower item storage box, The in-vehicle box device according to claim 3, wherein the front lower wall portion closes the second entrance when the lower item storage box is stored in the lower auxiliary storage portion.

Images