ARTICLE STORAGE DEVICE

Abstract

An article storage device, includes: a luggage cargo having a plurality of storage chambers; an outer door; an outer door drive device; a plurality of inner doors; and a switching device, wherein the inner doors are slidable together with the outer door if coupled to the outer door, the plurality of inner doors include a first inner door and a second inner door, the plurality of storage chambers include a first storage chamber having a first opening and a second storage chamber having a second opening, the first opening is opened and closed by the first inner door sliding together with the outer door while being coupled to the outer door, and the second opening is opened and closed by the second inner door sliding together with the outer door while being coupled to the outer door.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an article storage device mounted on a delivery vehicle or the like.

BACKGROUND ART

In the related art, there has been an article storage device mounted on a delivery vehicle or the like. From the viewpoint of security or the like, an article storage device is provided with a storage chamber for each article to be stored. It is preferable that the storage chamber for taking in and out the article can be opened and closed alone as appropriate.

For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses an article storage device including a first shutter that can be driven in the upper-lower direction and a second shutter that can be driven in the left-right direction. The first shutter and the second shutter are driven independently, thereby forming an opening in any region.

CITATION LIST

Patent Literature

• • Patent Literature 1: U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/592,851

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

However, the article storage device of Patent Literature 1 needs to include a drive device for driving the first shutter in the upper-lower direction and a drive device for driving the second shutter in the left-right direction, which increases the cost and the size of the device.

The present invention provides an article storage device capable of opening and closing the opening of any storage chamber along among a plurality of storage chambers of a luggage cargo with a simple configuration.

Solution to Problem

The present invention is an article storage device, including:

• • a luggage cargo having a plurality of storage chambers configured to store articles;
  • an outer door configured to slide in a first direction relative to the luggage cargo;
  • an outer door drive device configured to slide the outer door in the first direction;
  • a plurality of inner doors provided between the outer door and the luggage cargo, the inner doors being configured to slide in the first direction relative to the luggage cargo; and
  • a switching device provided for each of the inner doors, the switching device being configured to switch the inner door between a state of being coupled to the outer door and a state of not being coupled to the outer door, in which
  • the inner doors are slidable in the first direction together with the outer door if coupled to the outer door,
  • the plurality of inner doors include a first inner door and a second inner door,
  • the plurality of storage chambers include a first storage chamber having a first opening and a second storage chamber having a second opening,
  • the first opening of the first storage chamber is opened and closed by the first inner door sliding in the first direction together with the outer door while being coupled to the outer door, and
  • the second opening of the second storage chamber is opened and closed by the second inner door sliding in the first direction together with the outer door while being coupled to the outer door.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

According to the present invention, the first opening of the first storage chamber is opened and closed by the first inner door sliding in the first direction together with the outer door while being coupled to the outer door, and the second opening of the second storage chamber is opened and closed by the second inner door sliding in the first direction together with the outer door while being coupled to the outer door. Therefore, the article storage device can open and close the opening of any one storage chamber alone among the plurality of storage chambers of the luggage cargo with a simple configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a delivery vehicle in which an article storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is mounted, as viewed obliquely from above.

FIG. 2 is a side view of a delivery vehicle in which the article storage device of FIG. 1 is mounted, as viewed from the left.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an article storage device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a slide operation of an outer door in the article storage device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an inner door and a switching device in the article storage device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the main part in the vicinity of the switching device in the article storage device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram for explaining the operation of the switching device in FIGS. 5 and 6.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating the slide operation of the inner door and the outer door and the basic operation of the switching device in the article storage device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the slide operation of the inner door and the outer door and the operation of the switching device when the outer door is displaced opposite to the opening slide direction in the article storage device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating the slide operation of the inner door and the outer door and the operation of the switching device when the outer door is displaced in the opening slide direction in the article storage device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a storage chamber in the article storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first example of the operation of the outer door and the inner door according to the configuration of the storage chamber in the article storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a second example of the operation of the outer door and the inner door according to the configuration of the storage chamber in the article storage device according to the embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, an embodiment of an article storage device of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings are viewed from directions of reference numerals. In the present specification and the like, to simplify and clarify the description, the front-rear, left-right, and upper-lower directions are described according to directions viewed from a delivery vehicle equipped with the article storage device. In the drawings, the front side of the delivery vehicle is denoted by Fr, the rear side is denoted by Rr, the left side is denoted by L, the right side is denoted by R, the upper side is denoted by U, and the lower side is denoted by D.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3, an article storage device 10 according to the present embodiment is mounted on a delivery vehicle V. The delivery vehicle V may be a manned vehicle ridden by a driver and travels according to an operation of the riding driver, or may be an unmanned vehicle that autonomously travels according to remote control or autonomous control. In the present embodiment, the delivery vehicle V is an unmanned vehicle that autonomously travels by remote control or autonomous control.

The article storage device 10 includes a substantially rectangular luggage cargo 20. The luggage cargo 20 includes a front wall 20a, a rear wall 20b, a top wall 20c, and a bottom wall 20d, and the open left surface and right surface thereof are open. The luggage cargo 20 includes a plurality of storage chambers 90 capable of storing articles. A configuration example of the storage chambers 90 will be described later.

The article storage device 10 further includes a frame member 30 extending outside the luggage cargo 20 along each side of the substantially rectangular luggage cargo 20.

The article storage device 10 includes a plurality of outer doors 40 that cover the open left surface and right surface of the luggage cargo 20. Each outer door 40 is slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the luggage cargo 20. The present embodiment includes four outer doors 40, including a first outer door 41 capable of covering the rear half of the open left surface of the luggage cargo 20, a second outer door 42 capable of covering the front half of the open left surface of the luggage cargo 20, a third outer door 43 capable of covering the rear half of the open right surface of the luggage cargo 20, and a fourth outer door 44 capable of covering the front half of the open right surface of the luggage cargo 20.

The article storage device 10 includes an outer door drive device 50 provided for each outer door 40. The outer door drive device 50 slides the corresponding outer door 40 in the front-rear direction relative to the luggage cargo 20. The outer door drive device 50 includes a first outer door drive device 51 for sliding the first outer door 41 in the front-rear direction relative to the luggage cargo 20, a second outer door drive device 52 for sliding the second outer door 42 in the front-rear direction relative to the luggage cargo 20, a third outer door drive device 53 for sliding the third outer door 43 in the front-rear direction relative to the luggage cargo 20, and a fourth outer door drive device 54 for sliding the fourth outer door 44 in the front-rear direction relative to the luggage cargo 20. The first outer door drive device 51, the second outer door drive device 52, the third outer door drive device 53 and the fourth outer door drive device 54 are all provided above the luggage cargo 20.

Specifically, three sub-frame members 31 aligned in the front-rear direction are provided above the top wall 20c of the luggage cargo 20. The three sub-frame members 31 extend in the left-right direction at the center in the front-rear direction of the top wall 20c of the luggage cargo 20, and couple the left and right frame members 30 extending in the front-rear direction along the left and right sides of the upper surface of the luggage cargo 20. The left end and right end of the three sub-frame members 31 are provided with mounting plates 32 fixed to the three sub-frame members 31 and extending in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. The first outer door drive device 51 and the second outer door drive device 52 are aligned in the front-rear direction, and are placed on and fixed to the upper surface of the mounting plate 32 provided at the left end of the three sub-frame members 31 such that the first outer door drive device 51 is on the rear side and the second outer door drive device 52 is on the front side. The third outer door drive device 53 and the fourth outer door drive device 54 are aligned in the front-rear direction, and are placed on and fixed to on the upper surface of the mounting plate 32 provided at the right end of the three sub-frame members 31 such that the third outer door drive device 53 is on the rear side and the fourth outer door drive device 54 is on the front side.

Accordingly, when the luggage cargo 20 is mounted on the delivery vehicle V, the luggage cargo 20 can be arranged lower than in a case where the first outer door drive device 51, the second outer door drive device 52, the third outer door drive device 53 and the fourth outer door drive device 54 are provided below the luggage cargo 20. Therefore, the articles stored in the storage chambers 90 can be taken in and out easily.

The article storage device 10 includes a plurality of inner doors 60 provided between the outer door 40 and the luggage cargo 20. Each inner door 60 is slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the luggage cargo 20. In the present embodiment, a total of eight inner doors 60 are aligned in two in the front-rear direction and in four in the upper-lower direction when viewed from the left-right direction, at positions facing the open left surface of the luggage cargo 20. These eight inner doors 60 cover the open left surface of the luggage cargo 20. Similarly, a total of eight inner doors 60 are aligned in two in the front-rear direction and in four in the upper-lower direction when viewed from the left-right direction, at positions facing the right surface of the opening of the luggage cargo 20. These eight inner doors 60 cover the right surface of the opening of the luggage cargo 20. In the present embodiment, each inner door 60 has substantially the same front-rear dimension, upper-lower dimension, and left-right dimension.

Each inner door 60 is switchable between a state of being coupled to the outer door 40 and a state of not being coupled to the outer door 40.

The article storage device 10 includes a switching device 70 for switching each inner door 60 between the state of being coupled to an outer door 40 and the state of not being coupled to the outer door 40. A switching device 70 is provided for each inner door 60.

(Slide Drive of Outer Door)

Next, the slide drive of the outer door 40 and the outer door drive device 50 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4. In this specification, the slide drive of the first outer door 41 and the first outer door drive device 51 will be described in detail among the plurality of outer doors 40 and the plurality of outer door drive devices 50. A detailed description of the slide drive of the second outer door 42 and second outer door drive device 52, the slide drive of the third outer door 43 and third outer door drive device 53, and the slide drive of the fourth outer door 44 and fourth outer door drive device 54 will be omitted. However, the slide drive of the second outer door 42 and the second outer door drive device 52, the slide drive of the third outer door 43 and the third outer door drive device 53, and the slide drive of the fourth outer door 44 and the fourth outer door drive device 54 has configurations substantially the same as the slide drive of the first outer door 41 and the first outer door drive device 51, except for the operation and shape that are symmetrical in the front-rear direction and/or left-right direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the outer door drive device 50 includes an electric motor 50a and a pinion gear 50b that is fixed to the output shaft of the electric motor 50a and rotates integrally with the output shaft of the electric motor 50a. The electric motor 50a is placed on and fixed to the upper surface of the mounting plate 32 such that the output shaft thereof is parallel to the left-right direction.

The upper end of the outer door 40 is provided with a rack gear 401 extending parallel to the front-rear direction. The rack gear 401 meshes with the pinion gear 50b of the outer door drive device 50. When the electric motor 50a is driven to rotate forward or backward, the outer door 40 slides in the front-rear direction together with the rack gear 401, which meshes with the pinion gear 50b rotating integrally with the output shaft of the electric motor 50a.

The outer door drive device 50 is arranged in the vicinity of the center of the slidable range of the outer door 40 in the front-rear direction. Accordingly, it is possible to reduce the portion protruding from the outer door 40 in the front-rear direction of the member of the outer door 40 that engages with the outer door drive device 50, i.e. the rack gear 401 as in the present embodiment. Therefore, the article storage device 10 can be downsized.

In the present embodiment, the lower surface of the rack gear 401 provided on the first outer door 41 is a tooth surface and meshes with the upper end of the pinion gear 50b of the outer door drive device 50. On the other hand, although not illustrated, the upper surface of the rack gear 401 provided on the second outer door 42 is a tooth surface and meshes with the lower end of the pinion gear 50b of the outer door drive device 50. Accordingly, the rack gear 401 provided on the first outer door 41 and the rack gear 401 provided on the second outer door 42 are aligned in the upper-lower direction, and do not interfere with each other even when moving in the front-rear direction.

The first outer door 41 is in a default state at a position where the front end 41a is at a position the same as the center in the front-rear direction of the open left surface of the luggage cargo 20 and the rear end 41b is at a position the same as the rear end of the open left surface of the luggage cargo 20. The first outer door 41 is slidable rearward to a position where the front end 41a is at a position the same as the rear end of the left surface of the luggage cargo 20, or at a position where the front end 41a is rearward of the rear end of the left surface of the luggage cargo 20. Further, the first outer door 41 is slidable forward to a position where the rear end 41b is at a position the same as the center in the front-rear direction of the left surface of the luggage cargo 20, or at a position where the rear end 41b is forward of the center in the front-rear direction of the left surface of the luggage cargo 20.

Although not illustrated, the second outer door 42 is in a default state at a position where the front end 42a is at a position the same as the front end of the left surface of the luggage cargo 20 and the rear end 42b is located at a position the same as the center in the front-rear direction of the left surface of the luggage cargo 20. The second outer door 42 is slidable rearward to a position where the front end 42a is at a position the same as the center in the front-rear direction of the open left surface of the luggage cargo 20, or at a position where the front end 42a is rearward of the center in the front-rear direction of the open left surface of the luggage cargo 20. Further, the second outer door 42 is slidable forward to a position where the rear end 42b is at a position the same as the front end of the left surface of the luggage cargo 20, or at a position where the rear end 42b is forward of the front end of the open left side of the luggage cargo 20.

(Switching Device)

Next, the switching device 70 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. The present specification will describe, as an example of the switching device 70, a switching device 70 for switching one inner door 60 between a state of being coupled to the first outer door 41 and a state of not being coupled to the first outer door 41. This inner door 60 is one of the four inner doors 60 aligned in the upper-lower direction on the rear side among a total of eight inner doors 60 aligned in two in the front-rear direction and in four in the upper-lower direction when viewed from the left-right direction at a position opposite to the opening left side of the luggage cargo 20.

As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, the switching device 70 includes a first coupling mechanism 71 provided on the inner door 60 and a second coupling mechanism 72 provided on the luggage cargo 20. The first coupling mechanism 71 is provided in the vicinity of the rear end of the inner door 60, and the second coupling mechanism 72 is provided on the rear wall 20b of the luggage cargo 20.

The first coupling mechanism 71 includes: a first arm 711 and a second arm 712 that are aligned in the left-right direction and extend parallel to each other when viewed in the upper-lower direction; and an engagement pin 713 for coupling the front end of the first arm 711 and the front end of the second arm 712. The first coupling mechanism 71 further includes a storage case 714 for storing the first arm 711, the second arm 712 and the engagement pin 713 and fixed to the surface facing the outer door 40 of the inner door 60. The storage case 714 is fixed to the surface facing the outer door 40 of the inner door 60. The first arm 711 and the second arm 712 are aligned in the left-right direction and extend in parallel to each other such that the first arm 711 is closer to the inner door 60 and the second arm 712 is closer to the outer door 40.

The storage case 714 is provided with a first fixed shaft 715a and a second fixed shaft 715b extending in parallel to the upper-lower direction and aligned in parallel to the left-right direction. The first fixed shaft 715a and the second fixed shaft 715b are aligned in parallel to the left-right direction such that the first fixed shaft 715a is closer to the inner door 60 and the second fixed shaft 715b is closer to the outer door 40.

The first arm 711 is rotatably supported by the first fixed shaft 715a. The first arm 711 is pivotally supported by the first fixed shaft 715a at a position slightly behind the center in the front-rear direction of the first arm 711. The first arm 711 is rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise about the first fixed shaft 715a when viewed in the upper-lower direction. The front end of the first arm 711 is provided with a first support shaft 711a. The rear end of the first arm 711 is formed with a protruding portion 711b protruding toward the luggage cargo 20. The protruding portion 711b is formed integrally with the first arm 711.

The second arm 712 is rotatably supported by the second fixed shaft 715b. The second arm 712 is pivotally supported by the second fixed shaft 715b at the rear end of the second arm 712. The second arm 712 is rotatable clockwise and counterclockwise about the second fixed shaft 715b when viewed in the upper-lower direction. The front end of the second arm 712 is provided with a second support shaft 712a.

The engagement pin 713 is rotatably coupled to the first arm 711 by being rotatably supported by the first support shaft 711a of the first arm 711, and is rotatably coupled to the second arm 712 by being rotatably supported by the second support shaft 712a of the second arm 712. The engagement pin 713 is rotatably coupled to the first arm 711 and the second arm 712 to extend parallel to the left-right direction.

Accordingly, the first arm 711, the second arm 712, the engagement pin 713, and the storage case 714 provided with the first fixed shaft 715a and the second fixed shaft 715b form a four-bar linkage mechanism having one degree of freedom, with the storage case 714 provided with the first fixed shaft 715a and the second fixed shaft 715b being a stationary bar.

The length of the first arm 711 from the position where the first arm 711 is pivotally supported by the first fixed shaft 715a to the first support shaft 711a is equal to the length of the second arm 712 from the position where the second arm 712 is pivotally supported by the second fixed shaft 715b to the second support shaft 712a. Since the first fixed shaft 715a and the second fixed shaft 715b are aligned in parallel to the left-right direction, the engagement pin 713 is displaced in the left-right direction while normally keeping in parallel with the left-right direction even when the first arm 711 and the second arm 712 respectively rotate about the first fixed shaft 715a and the second fixed shaft 715b.

The storage case 714 includes: a cover wall 714a that covers the first arm 711, the second arm 712, and the engagement pin 713 from the side closer to the outer door 40 in the left-right direction when viewed from the left-right direction; and a side wall 714b that covers the front side, the rear side, the upper side, and the lower side of the first arm 711, the second arm 712, and the engagement pin 713. The storage case 714 has an opening on the side closer to the inner door 60 in the left-right direction.

The cover wall 714a of the storage case 714 is provided with a coil spring 716, thereby protruding from the surface facing the inner door 60 toward the inner door 60. The coil spring 716 has an end on one side supported by the cover wall 714a of the storage case 714, and an end on the other side in contact with the rear end of the first arm 711. The coil spring 716 biases the rear end of the first arm 711 toward the inner door 60.

The cover wall 714a of the storage case 714 is formed with a through hole 714c that allows the engagement pin 713 to be inserted. The engagement pin 713 can protrude from the storage case 714 toward the outer door 40 through the through hole 714c. The outer door 40 is formed with a recess 40a. The engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 protrudes from the storage case 714 toward the outer door 40 through the through hole 714c, and is engageable with the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40. The recess 40a includes: a large hole 40al recessed from the surface of the outer door 40 facing the inner door 60; and a small hole 40a2 continuous with the large hole 40al and further recessed from the bottom wall of the large hole 40al. The large hole 40al has a larger cross-sectional area than the small hole 40a2. The large hole 40al and the small hole 40a2 both have a size that allows the engagement pin 713 to be inserted. The functions and effects of the large hole 40al and the small hole 40a2 will be described in detail later.

The second coupling mechanism 72 operates the first coupling mechanism 71 and switches the inner door 60 between a state of being coupled to the luggage cargo 20 and a state of not being coupled to the luggage cargo 20. The second coupling mechanism 72 includes an engagement rod 721 extending parallel to the left-right direction, an actuator 722 for displacing the engagement rod 721 in the left-right direction, and a coil spring 723 for biasing the engagement rod 721 toward the inner door 60. The second coupling mechanism 72 further includes a storage case 724 that houses the engagement rod 721 and the coil spring 723. The actuator 722 and the storage case 724 are fixed to the front wall 20a or the rear wall 20b of the luggage cargo 20 in a manner aligned in the left-right direction such that the storage case 724 is closer to the inner door 60 and the actuator 722 is closer to the center of the luggage cargo 20 in the left-right direction. FIGS. 5 to 7 illustrate an example in which the actuator 722 and the storage case 724 are fixed to the rear wall 20b.

The storage case 724 has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape, and includes a front wall, a rear wall, a top wall, a lower wall, a left wall, and a right wall. The left wall and the right wall of the storage case 724 are formed with insertion holes 724a that allow the engagement rod 721 to be inserted. The engagement rod 721 penetrates the storage case 724 through the insertion holes 724a formed in the left wall and the right wall, and protrudes in the left-right direction from both the left wall and the right wall of the storage case 724. The engagement rod 721 extending in parallel with the left-right direction has an end in the left-right direction closer to the center in the left-right direction of the luggage cargo 20 coupled to the actuator 722, and has an end in the left-right direction closer to the inner door 60 protruding from the storage case 724 toward the inner door 60.

In the present embodiment, the actuator 722 includes a pull-type solenoid, and drives to pull the engagement rod 721 toward the actuator 722 when turned on.

The coil spring 723 has the engagement rod 721 inserted through the center thereof. The engagement rod 721 is provided with a flange 721a extending in a flange shape at substantially the center portion in the left-right direction. The coil spring 723 has an end in the left-right direction closer to the center of the luggage cargo 20 in the left-right direction in contact with the storage case 724, and an end in the left-right direction closer to the inner door 60 in contact with the flange 721a of the engagement rod 721. The coil spring 723 biases the engagement rod 721 toward the inner door 60.

The inner door 60 is formed with a through hole 60a that allows the engagement rod 721 to be inserted. The protruding portion 711b formed at the rear end of the first arm 711 of the first coupling mechanism 71 is formed at a position overlapping the through hole 60a when viewed from the left-right direction. The through hole 60a is formed to allow the protruding portion 711b to be inserted. The engagement rod 721 can push the protruding portion 711b formed at the rear end of the first arm 711 of the first coupling mechanism 71 toward the outer door 40 through the through hole 60a.

As illustrated in (a) of FIG. 7, if the solenoid of the actuator 722 is turned off, the coil spring 716 of the first coupling mechanism 71 biases the rear end of the first arm 711 toward the inner door 60, and the coil spring 723 of the second coupling mechanism 72 biases the engagement rod 721 toward the inner door 60. Further, if the protruding portion 711b of the first arm 711 and a tip end 721b of the engagement rod 721 are in contact while the solenoid of the actuator 722 is off, a second biasing force fk2 by which the coil spring 723 of the second coupling mechanism 72 biases the engagement rod 721 toward the inner door 60 is greater than a first biasing force fk1 by which the coil spring 716 of the first coupling mechanism 71 biases the rear end of the first arm 711 toward the inner door 60. That is, fk2>fk1, where fk1 is the first biasing force and fk2 is the second biasing force. Accordingly, if the solenoid of the actuator 722 is off, the engagement rod 721 of the switching device 70 is inserted through the through hole 60a of the inner door 60 and comes into contact with the protruding portion 711b of the first arm 711 to press the rear end of the first arm 711 toward the outer door 40.

Accordingly, if the solenoid of the actuator 722 is off, the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism 72 engages with the through hole 60a formed in the inner door 60 by protruding toward the inner door 60. If the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism 72 engages with the through hole 60a formed in the inner door 60, the inner door 60 is coupled to the luggage cargo 20 by the engagement rod 721, and is not slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the luggage cargo 20.

If the solenoid of the actuator 722 is off, the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism 72 is inserted through the through hole 60a of the inner door 60 and comes into contact with the protruding portion 711b of the first arm 711 of the first coupling mechanism 71 to press the rear end of the first arm 711 toward the outer door 40. Therefore, when viewed from the upper-lower direction, the first arm 711 rotates about the first fixed shaft 715a in a direction in which the rear end of the first arm 711 approaches the outer door 40 and the front end of the first arm 711 moves away from the outer door 40. Along with the rotation of the first arm 711, the second arm 712 and the engagement pin 713, which constitute the four-bar linkage mechanism having one degree of freedom with the storage case 714 provided with the first fixed shaft 715a and the second fixed shaft 715b being the stationary bar, also operate together with the first arm 711. If, when viewed from the upper-lower direction, the first arm 711 rotates about the first fixed shaft 715a in the direction in which the rear end of the first arm 711 approaches the outer door 40 and the front end of the first arm 711 moves away from the outer door 40, when viewed from the upper-lower direction, the second arm 712 rotates about the second fixed shaft 715b in a direction in which the front end of the second arm 712 moves away from the outer door 40, and the engagement pin 713 is displaced away from the outer door 40 while keeping in parallel with the left-right direction. Then, the engagement pin 713 is released form from the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40, and disengages from the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40.

Accordingly, if the solenoid of the actuator 722 is off, the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 disengages from the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40, and the inner door 60 is not coupled to the outer door 40. If the inner door 60 is not coupled to the outer door 40, the inner door 60 does not slide in the front-rear direction even if the outer door 40 slides in the front-rear direction. Accordingly, if the solenoid of the actuator 722 is off, the inner door 60 is not coupled to the outer door 40 and does not slide in the front-rear direction even if the outer door 40 slides in the front-rear direction.

On the other hand, as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 7, when the solenoid of the actuator 722 is turned on, the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism 72 is pulled toward the actuator 722 by the actuator 722 against the biasing force of the coil spring 723. Accordingly, the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism 72 is released from the through hole 60a formed in the inner door 60, and disengages from the through hole 60a formed in the inner door 60. If the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism 72 disengages from the through hole 60a formed in the inner door 60, the inner door 60 is not coupled to the luggage cargo 20 and is slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the luggage cargo 20.

Accordingly, if the solenoid of the actuator 722 is on, the inner door 60 is not coupled to the luggage cargo 20 and is slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the luggage cargo 20.

When the solenoid of the actuator 722 is turned on, the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism 72 is pulled toward the actuator 722. Therefore, the tip end 721b of the engagement rod 721 is separated from the protruding portion 711b of the first arm 711. Then, when viewed in the upper-lower direction, the first arm 711 rotates about the first fixed shaft 715a due to the biasing force of the coil spring 716 in a direction in which the rear end of the first arm 711 moves away from the outer door 40 and the front end of the first arm 711 approaches the outer door 40. Along with the rotation of the first arm 711, the second arm 712 and the engagement pin 713, which constitute the four-bar linkage mechanism having one degree of freedom with the storage case 714 provided with the first fixed shaft 715a and the second fixed shaft 715b being the stationary bar, also operate together with the first arm 711. If, when viewed from the upper-lower direction, the first arm 711 rotates about the first fixed shaft 715a in the direction in which the rear end of the first arm 711 moves away from the outer door 40 and the front end of the first arm 711 approaches the outer door 40, when viewed from the upper-lower direction, the second arm 712 rotates about the second fixed shaft 715b in a direction in which the front end of the second arm 712 approaches the outer door 40, and the engagement pin 713 is displaced toward the outer door 40 while keeping in parallel with the left-right direction. Then, the engagement pin 713 protrudes from the storage case 714 toward the outer door 40 through the through hole 714c and engages with the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40. If the engagement pin 713 engages with the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40, the inner door 60 is coupled to the outer door 40 by the engagement pin 713. If the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 engages with the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40, the inner door 60 is coupled to the outer door 40 and is slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the luggage cargo 20 together with the outer door 40.

Accordingly, if the solenoid of the actuator 722 is on, the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 engages with the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40, and the inner door 60 is coupled to the outer door 40 and is slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the luggage cargo 20 together with the outer door 40.

In the present embodiment, if the solenoid of the actuator 722 is on, when viewed from the upper-lower direction, the first arm 711 of the first coupling mechanism 71 rotates about the first fixed shaft 715a due to the biasing force of the coil spring 716 in a direction in which the front end of the first arm 711 approaches the outer door 40 and the rear end of the first arm 711 moves away from the outer door 40 (that is, toward the inner door 60), and the protruding portion 711b formed at the rear end of the first arm 711 is partially inserted into the through hole 60a formed in the inner door 60. Accordingly, the stroke of the solenoid of the actuator 722 can be shortened, and the engagement rod 721 can be moved with a stronger force by the solenoid of the actuator 722.

As described above, the first coupling mechanism 71 and the second coupling mechanism 72 operate in conjunction such that: the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 disengages from the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40 if the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism engages with the through hole 60a formed in the inner door 60 while the actuator 722 of the second coupling mechanism is off, and the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 engages with the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40 if the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism disengages from the through hole 60a formed in the inner door 60 while the actuator 722 of the second coupling mechanism is on.

Accordingly, due to the switching device 70, the inner door 60 can be coupled to the luggage cargo 20 and become not slidable if not coupled to the outer door 40, and can stop being coupled to the luggage cargo 20 and become slidable if coupled to the outer door 40. Accordingly, it is possible to switch the inner door 60 between the state of being coupled to the outer door 40 and the state of not being coupled to the outer door 40 with a simple configuration, and to prevent the inner door 60 from an erroneous slide operation if the inner door 60 is not coupled to the outer door 40.

(Slide Operation of Inner Door and Outer Door, and Operation of Switching Device)

Next, the slide operation of the inner door 60 and the outer door 40 and the operation of the switching device 70 will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 8 to 10.

<Basic Operation>

First, the slide operation of the inner door 60 and the outer door 40 and the basic operation of the switching device 70 will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 will describe an example in which the opening operation is performed by the inner door 60 and the outer door 40 sliding forward, and the closing operation is performed by the inner door 60 and the outer door 40 sliding rearward after the opening operation.

As illustrated in (a) of FIG. 8, the state in which the solenoid of the actuator 722 illustrated in (a) of FIG. 7 is off is the default state. At this time, the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism engages with the through hole 60a formed in the inner door 60, the inner door 60 is coupled to the luggage cargo 20 by the engagement rod 721, the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 disengages from the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40, and the inner door 60 is not coupled to the outer door 40. Accordingly, the inner door 60 is not slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the luggage cargo 20 and does not slide in the front-rear direction even when the outer door 40 slides in the front-rear direction.

Then, as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 8, the solenoid of the actuator 722 is turned on from the default state. Accordingly, the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism disengages from the through hole 60a formed in the inner door 60, the inner door 60 is not coupled to the luggage cargo 20, the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 engages with the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40, and the inner door 60 is coupled to the outer door 40. Accordingly, the inner door 60 is slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the luggage cargo 20, and is slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the luggage cargo 20 together with the outer door 40.

As illustrated in (c) of FIG. 8, when the disengagement of the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism with the through hole 60a formed in the inner door 60 is completed and the engagement of the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 with the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40 is completed, the outer door drive device 50 is driven to slide the outer door 40 forward. Thus, since the inner door 60 is coupled to the outer door 40 by the switching device 70, the inner door 60 slides forward relative to the luggage cargo 20 together with the outer door 40. At this time, as the outer door 40 slides forward, the outer door 40 pulls the switching device 70 and the inner door 60 forward while the rear end of the small hole 40a2 of the recessed portion 40a formed in the outer door 40 is in contact with the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 of the switching device 70. Accordingly, the inner door 60 slides forward together with the outer door 40.

As illustrated in (d) of FIG. 8, when the forward sliding of the outer door 40 is completed, the forward sliding of the switching device 70 and the inner door 60 is also completed. Then, in the open left and right surfaces of the luggage cargo 20, the region where both the outer door 40 and the inner door 60 have slid is opened.

Subsequently, as illustrated in (e) of FIG. 8, the outer door drive device 50 is driven to slide the outer door 40 rearward. Thus, since the inner door 60 is coupled to the outer door 40 by the switching device 70, the inner door 60 slides rearward relative to the luggage cargo 20 together with the outer door 40. At this time, as the outer door 40 slides rearward, the outer door 40 pulls the switching device 70 and the inner door 60 rearward while the front end of the small hole 40a2 of the recessed portion 40a formed in the outer door 40 is in contact with the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 of the switching device 70. Accordingly, the inner door 60 slides rearward together with the outer door 40.

As illustrated in (f) of FIG. 8, if the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 engages with the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40, when the inner door 60 slides rearward relative to the luggage cargo 20 together with the outer door 40 while being coupled to the outer door 40, the solenoid of the actuator 722 is turned off and the second coupling mechanism 72 operates such that the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism 72 protrudes toward the inner door 60 and comes into contact with the inner door 60 before the position of the inner door 60 reaches the position where the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism is engageable with the through hole 60a formed in the inner door 60. Then, the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism portion 72 keeps being biased toward the inner door 60 due to the biasing force of the coil spring 723.

Thereafter, as illustrated in (g) of FIG. 8, if the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism portion 71 engages with the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40, when the inner door 60 slides further rearward relative to the luggage cargo 20 together with the outer door 40 while being coupled to the outer door 40, and the through hole 60a formed in the inner door 60 reaches a position overlapping the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism portion 72 in the front-rear direction, the engagement rod 721 biased toward the inner door 60 is inserted into the through hole 60a of the inner door 60. Then, the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism engages with the through hole 60a formed in the inner door 60, the inner door 60 is coupled to the luggage cargo 20 by the engagement rod 721, the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 disengages from the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40, and the inner door 60 is not coupled to the outer door 40. Accordingly, the outer door 40 and the inner door 60 return to the default state illustrated in (a) of FIG. 8, and the inner door 60 is not slidable in the front-rear direction relative to the luggage cargo 20, and the outer door 40 does not slide in the front-rear direction even when the outer door 40 slides in the front-rear direction. Then, the open left and right surfaces of the luggage cargo 20 are in a closed state of being blocked by the outer door 40 and the inner door 60, and the series of slide operations of the inner door 60 and the outer door 40 are completed.

As described above, the solenoid of the actuator 722 is turned off and the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism 72 operates to protrude toward the inner door 60 and come into contact with the inner door 60 before the position of the inner door 60 reaches the position where the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism is engageable with the through hole 60a formed in the inner door 60. Therefore, even if the inner door 60 is displaced when sliding, the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism can reliably engage with the through hole 60a formed in the inner door 60 when reaching the position where the through hole 60a formed in the inner door 60 is engageable with the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism 72.

<Operation when Outer Door is Displaced Opposite to Opening Slide Direction>

Next, an operation when the outer door 40 is displaced opposite to the opening slide direction will be described with reference to FIG. 9.

As illustrated in (a) of FIG. 9, if the solenoid of the actuator 722 is turned on from the default state while the outer door 40 is displaced opposite to the opening slide direction, the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism disengages from the through hole 60a formed in the inner door 60, and the inner door 60 is not coupled to the luggage cargo 20, while the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 engages with the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40 on the front end side of the large hole 40a1. In this state as well, the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism portion 71 engages with the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40, so that the inner door 60 is coupled to the outer door 40.

If the outer door drive device 50 is driven from the state illustrated in (a) of FIG. 9 to start sliding the outer door 40 forward, first, the outer door 40 slides forward alone. Then, as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 9, the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 engaged with the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40 on the front end side of the large hole 40a1 engages with the recess 40a in the small hole 40a2. Accordingly, the displacement of the outer door 40 opposite to the opening slide direction is corrected.

Then, as illustrated in (c) of FIG. 9, as the outer door 40 further slides forward, the state becomes the same as the state illustrated in (c) of FIG. 8, and the outer door 40 pulls the switching device 70 and the inner door 60 forward while the rear end of the small hole 40a2 of the recessed portion 40a formed in the outer door 40 is in contact with the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 of the switching device 70. Accordingly, the inner door 60 slides forward together with the outer door 40.

In this way, even if the outer door 40 is displaced opposite to the opening slide direction, the inner door 60 can be coupled to the outer door 40 by the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 engaging with the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40 in the large hole 40a1. Furthermore, the displacement of the outer door 40 opposite to the opening slide direction can be corrected by continuing the slide operation of the outer door 40.

<Operation when Outer Door is Displaced in Opening Slide Direction>

Next, an operation when the outer door 40 is displaced in the opening slide direction will be described with reference to FIG. 10.

As illustrated in (a) of FIG. 10, if the solenoid of the actuator 722 is turned on from the default state while the outer door 40 is displaced in the opening slide direction, the engagement rod 721 of the second coupling mechanism disengages from the through hole 60a formed in the inner door 60, and the inner door 60 is not coupled to the luggage cargo 20, while the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 engages with the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40 on the rear end side of the large hole 40a1. In this state as well, the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism portion 71 engages with the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40, so that the inner door 60 is coupled to the outer door 40.

If the outer door drive device 50 is driven from the state illustrated in (a) of FIG. 10 to start sliding the outer door 40 forward, as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 10, the inner door 60 slides forward relative to the luggage cargo 20 together with the outer door 40 while the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism portion 71 keeps being engaged with the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40 on the rear end side of the large hole 40a1.

As illustrated in (c) of FIG. 10, when the forward sliding of the outer door 40 is completed, the forward sliding of the switching device 70 and the inner door 60 is also completed while the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 keeps being engaged with the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40 on the rear end side of the large hole 40a1. Then, in the open left and right surfaces of the luggage cargo 20, the region where both the outer door 40 and the inner door 60 have slid is opened.

Thereafter, if the outer door drive device 50 is driven to slide the outer door 40 rearward to start the closing slide operation, first, the outer door 40 slides rearward alone. Then, as illustrated in (d) of FIG. 10, the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 engaged with the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40 on the rear end side of the large hole 40a1 engages with the recess 40a in the small hole 40a2. Accordingly, the displacement of the outer door 40 in the opening slide direction is corrected.

Then, as illustrated in (e) of FIG. 10, as the outer door 40 further slides rearward, the state becomes the same as the state illustrated in (e) of FIG. 8, and the outer door 40 pulls the switching device 70 and the inner door 60 rearward while the front end of the small hole 40a2 of the recessed portion 40a formed in the outer door 40 is in contact with the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 of the switching device 70. Accordingly, the inner door 60 slides rearward together with the outer door 40.

In this way, even if the outer door 40 is displaced in the opening slide direction, the inner door 60 can be coupled to the outer door 40 by the engagement pin 713 of the first coupling mechanism 71 engaging with the recess 40a formed in the outer door 40 in the large hole 40a1. Furthermore, the displacement of the outer door 40 in the opening slide direction can be corrected by continuing the slide operation of the outer door 40.

(Configuration of Storage Chambers)

The luggage cargo 20 includes a plurality of storage chambers 90 partitioned by partition walls 80 when viewed in the left-right direction. Each storage chamber 90 is open in the left-right direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the article storage device 10 includes partition walls 81 extending over the entire area in the left-right direction and the front-rear direction inside the luggage cargo 20. The front wall 20a and the rear wall 20b of the luggage cargo 20 are provided with three locking portions 80a capable of locking the partition walls 81 at equal intervals in the upper-lower direction. By arranging the partition walls 81 at the locking portions 80a, the luggage cargo 20 can be formed such that the storage chambers 90 are aligned in four with the same upper-lower dimension. The partition walls 81 can engage with and disengage from the locking portions 80a, and the luggage cargo 20 can have the storage chambers 90 aligned in any number of one to four in the upper-lower direction by selecting whether to arrange a partition wall 81 in each locking portion 80a provided at equal intervals in the upper-lower direction.

The top wall 20c and the bottom wall 20d of the luggage cargo 20 and the upper surfaces and the lower surfaces of the partition walls 81 are provided with: a first locking portion 80b at the center portion in the front-rear direction when viewed from the left-right direction; and second locking portions 80c at positions dividing the inside of the luggage cargo 20 into three equal parts in the front-rear direction. The article storage device 10 includes: partition walls 82 having an upper-lower dimension of approximately one fourth of the upper-lower dimension of the inside of the luggage cargo 20 and a left-right dimension substantially the same as the left-right dimension of the inside of the luggage cargo 20; and partition walls 83 having an upper-lower dimension of approximately a half of the upper-lower dimension of the inside of the luggage cargo 20 and a left-right dimension substantially the same as the left-right dimension of the inside of the luggage cargo 20. The partition walls 82 and the partition walls 83 can disengage from the first locking portions 80b and the second locking portions 80c. By locking the partition walls 82 and/or the partition walls 83 to the first locking portions 80b, the storage chambers 90 can be aligned in two in the front-rear direction. Similarly, by locking the partition walls 82 and/or the partition walls 83 to the second locking portions 80c, the storage chambers 90 can be aligned in three in the front-rear direction.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, by selecting the arrangement of the partition walls 81, the partition walls 82 and the partition walls 83, it is possible to achieve the configuration of the storage chambers 90 of a plurality of patterns, and to achieve the configuration of the storage chambers 90 of a desired pattern as necessary.

(Operation of Outer Door and Inner Door According to Configuration of Storage Chambers)

Next, the operations of the outer door 40 and the inner door 60 according to the configuration of the storage chambers 90 in the luggage cargo 20 will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13.

Described here as an example is a case in which the inside of the luggage cargo 20 is partitioned into four sections at equal intervals in the upper-lower direction by the partition walls 81, upper two sections of the four sections at equal intervals in the upper-lower direction by the partition walls 81 are partitioned into three sections at equal intervals in the front-rear direction by the partition walls 82, and lower two sections of the four sections at equal intervals in the upper-lower direction by the partition walls 81 are partitioned into two sections at equal intervals in the front-rear direction by the partition walls 82. Accordingly, when viewed in the left-right direction, the luggage cargo 20 includes: storage chambers 90 formed in the upper half region, two in upper-lower direction and three in the front-rear direction, all having the same upper-lower dimension and the same front-rear dimension; and storage chambers 90 formed in the lower half region, two in the upper-lower direction and two in the front-rear direction, all having the same upper-lower dimension and the same front-rear dimension.

First Embodiment

First, a first embodiment of operations of the outer door 40 and the inner door 60 according to the configuration of the storage chambers 90 in the luggage cargo 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 12.

In the present embodiment, to simplify and clarify the description, the storage chamber 90 that is the second from the bottom in the upper-lower direction and on the rear side in the front-rear direction is referred to as a first storage chamber 91, the storage chamber 90 that is the first from the bottom in the upper-lower direction and on the rear side in the front-rear direction is referred to as a second storage chamber 92, the storage chamber 90 that is the second from the bottom in the upper-lower direction and on the front side in the front-rear direction is referred to as a third storage chamber 93, and the storage chamber 90 that is the first from the bottom in the upper-lower direction and on the front side in the front-rear direction is referred to as a fourth storage chamber 94. The first storage chamber 91 has a first opening 91a that is open leftward. The second storage chamber 92 has a second opening 92a that is open leftward. The third storage chamber 93 has a third opening 93a that is open leftward. The fourth storage chamber 94 has a fourth opening 94a that is open leftward. The first storage chamber 91 includes a front wall 91b forming the front end and a rear wall 91c forming the rear end. The second storage chamber 92 includes a front wall 92b forming the front end and a rear wall 92c forming the rear end. The third storage chamber 93 includes a front wall 93b forming the front end and a rear wall 93c forming the rear end. The fourth storage chamber 94 includes a front wall 94b forming the front end and a rear wall 94c forming the rear end. In the present embodiment, the rear wall 91c of the first storage chamber 91 and the rear wall 92c of the second storage chamber 92 are formed by the rear wall 20b of the luggage cargo 20. The front wall 93b of the third storage chamber 93 and the front wall 94b of the fourth storage chamber 94 are formed by the front wall 20a of the luggage cargo 20. Further, the front wall 91b of the first storage chamber 91 and the rear wall 93c of the third storage chamber 93 are formed by the partition wall 82 locked to the first locking portion 80b provided at the center portion in the front-rear direction of the lower surface of the partition wall 81 locked to the middle locking portion 80a among the three locking portions 80a aligned in the upper-lower direction and the first locking portion 80b provided at the center portion in the front-rear direction of the upper surface of the partition wall 81 locked to the lower locking portion 80a among the three locking portions 80a aligned in the upper-lower direction. The front wall 92b of the second storage chamber 92 and the rear wall 94c of the fourth storage chamber 94 are formed by the partition wall 82 locked to the first locking portion 80b provided at the center portion in the front-rear direction of the lower surface of the partition wall 81 locked to the locking portion 80a in the lower stage among the three locking portions 80a aligned in the upper-lower direction and the first locking portion 80b provided at the center portion in the front-rear direction of the bottom wall 20d of the luggage cargo 20.

Accordingly, the first opening 91a, the second opening 92a, the third opening 93a and the fourth opening 94a all open leftward. The first storage chamber 91 and the second storage chamber 92 are aligned in the upper-lower direction, the third storage chamber 93 and the fourth storage chamber 94 are aligned in the upper-lower direction, the first storage chamber 91 and the third storage chamber 93 are aligned in the front-rear direction, and the second storage chamber 92 and the fourth storage chamber 94 are aligned in the front-rear direction.

In addition, in the present embodiment, to simplify and clarify the description, among the eight inner doors 60 that cover the open left surface of the luggage cargo 20, the inner door 60 that is the second from the bottom in the upper-lower direction and on the rear side in the front-rear direction is referred to as a first inner door 61, the inner door 60 that is the first from the bottom in the upper-lower direction and on the rear side in the front-rear direction is referred to as a second inner door 62, the inner door 60 that is the second from the bottom in the upper-lower direction and on the front side in the front-rear direction is referred to as a third inner door 63, and the inner door 60 that is the first from the bottom in the upper-lower direction and on the front side in the front-rear direction is referred to as a fourth inner door 64.

Accordingly, the first inner door 61 and the second inner door 62 are aligned in the upper-lower direction, and the third inner door 63 and the fourth inner door 64 are aligned in the upper-lower direction. Further, the first inner door 61 and the third inner door 63 are aligned in the front-rear direction, and the second inner door 62 and the fourth inner door 64 are aligned in the front-rear direction.

The first inner door 61 and the second inner door 62 can be coupled to the first outer door 41, and the third inner door 63 and the fourth inner door 64 can be coupled to the second outer door 42. The first inner door 61 is slidable in the front-rear direction together with the first outer door 41 if coupled to the first outer door 41, the second inner door 62 is slidable in the front-rear direction together with the first outer door 41 if coupled to the first outer door 41, the third inner door 63 is slidable in the front-rear direction together with the second outer door 42 if coupled to the second outer door 42, and the fourth inner door 64 is slidable in the front-rear direction together with the second outer door 42 if coupled to the second outer door 42.

As illustrated in (a) of FIG. 12, the first opening 91a of the first storage chamber 91 is opened and closed by the first inner door 61 sliding in the front-rear direction together with the first outer door 41 while being coupled to the first outer door 41. Specifically, the first opening 91a of the first storage chamber 91 is changed from the closed state to the open state by the first inner door 61 sliding rearward together with the first outer door 41 while being coupled to the first outer door 41, and is changed from the open state to the closed state by the first inner door 61 sliding forward together with the first outer door 41 while being coupled to the first outer door 41. At this time, by bringing the other inner doors 60 including the second inner door 62 into the state of not being coupled to the first outer door 41, the first inner door 61 slides in the front-rear direction together with the first outer door 41 alone, and the other inner doors 60 including the second inner door 62 do not slide in the front-rear direction. Thus, the first opening 91a of the first storage chamber 91 can be opened and closed alone.

As illustrated in (b) of FIG. 12, the second opening 92a of the second storage chamber 92 is opened and closed by the second inner door 62 sliding in the front-rear direction together with the first outer door 41 while being coupled to the first outer door 41. Specifically, the second opening 92a of the second storage chamber 92 is changed from the closed state to the open state by the second inner door 62 sliding rearward together with the first outer door 41 while being coupled to the first outer door 41, and is changed from the open state to the closed state by the second inner door 62 sliding forward together with the first outer door 41 while being coupled to the first outer door 41. At this time, by bringing the other inner doors 60 including the first inner door 61 into the state of not being coupled to the first outer door 41, the second inner door 62 slides in the front-rear direction together with the first outer door 41 alone, and the other inner doors 60 including the first inner door 61 do not slide in the front-rear direction. Accordingly, the second opening 92a of the second storage chamber 92 can be opened and closed alone.

As illustrated in (c) of FIG. 12, the third opening 93a of the third storage chamber 93 is opened and closed by the third inner door 63 sliding in the front-rear direction together with the second outer door 42 while being coupled to the second outer door 42. Specifically, the third opening 93a of the third storage chamber 93 is changed from the closed state to the open state by the third inner door 63 sliding forward together with the second outer door 42 while being coupled to the second outer door 42, and is changed from the open state to the closed state by the third inner door 63 sliding rearward together with the second outer door 42 while being coupled to the second outer door 42. At this time, by bringing the other inner doors 60 including the fourth inner door 64 into the state of not being coupled to the second outer door 42, the third inner door 63 slides in the front-rear direction together with the second outer door 42 alone, and the other inner doors 60 including the fourth inner door 64 do not slide in the front-rear direction. Thus, the third opening 93a of the third storage chamber 93 can be opened and closed alone.

As illustrated in (d) of FIG. 12, the fourth opening 94a of the fourth storage chamber 94 is opened and closed by the fourth inner door 64 sliding in the front-rear direction together with the second outer door 42 while being coupled to the second outer door 42. Specifically, the fourth opening 94a of the fourth storage chamber 94 is changed from the closed state to the open state by the fourth inner door 64 sliding forward together with the second outer door 42 while being coupled to the second outer door 42, and is changed from the open state to the closed state by the fourth inner door 64 sliding rearward together with the second outer door 42 while being coupled to the second outer door 42. At this time, by bringing the other inner doors 60 including the third inner door 63 into the state of not being coupled to the second outer door 42, the fourth inner door 64 slides in the front-rear direction together with the second outer door 42 alone, and the other inner doors 60 including the third inner door 63 do not slide in the front-rear direction. Thus, the fourth opening 94a of the fourth storage chamber 94 can be opened and closed alone.

In this way, the article storage device 10 can open and close the opening of any storage chamber 90 alone among the plurality of storage chambers 90 of the luggage cargo 20 with a simple configuration. Furthermore, since the article storage device 10 includes the first outer door 41 and the second outer door 42, even for a plurality of storage chambers 90 that are not aligned in the upper-lower direction, it is possible to open and close the opening of any storage chamber 90 alone among the plurality of storage chambers 90 of the luggage cargo 20 with a simple configuration.

Further, even if the slidable direction of the first outer door 41 is one direction in the front-rear direction, it is possible to open and close the opening of any storage chamber 90 alone among the first storage chamber 91 and the second storage chamber 92 aligned in the upper-lower direction. Therefore, the article storage device 10 can have a simpler configuration. Further, since the first outer door 41 and the second outer door 42 are provided, even if the storage chambers 90 are aligned in two in the upper-lower direction and in two in the front-rear direction, it is possible to open and close the opening of any storage chamber 90 alone among the plurality of storage chambers 90 aligned in two in the upper-lower direction and in two in the front-rear direction with a simple configuration.

The first outer door 41 is slidable rearward to a position where the front end 41a is at a position the same as the rear wall 91c of the first storage chamber 91 and the rear wall 92c of the second storage chamber 92, or at a position rearward of the rear wall 91c of the first storage chamber 91 and the rear wall 92c of the second storage chamber 92. The first outer door 41 is slidable forward to a position where the rear end 41b is at a position the same as the front wall 91b of the first storage chamber 91 and the front wall 92b of the second storage chamber 92, or at a position forward of the position the same as the front wall 91b of the first storage chamber 91 and the front wall 92b of the second storage chamber 92.

The second outer door 42 is slidable rearward to a position where the front end 42a is at a position the same as the rear wall 93c of the third storage chamber 93 and the rear wall 94c of the fourth storage chamber 94, or at a position rearward of the rear wall 93c of the third storage chamber 93 and the rear wall 94c of the fourth storage chamber 94. The second outer door 42 is slidable forward to a position where the rear end 42b is at a position the same as the front wall 93b of the third storage chamber 93 and the front wall 94b of the fourth storage chamber 94, or at a position forward of the front wall 93b of the third storage chamber 93 and the front wall 94b of the fourth storage chamber 94.

Accordingly, it is possible to fully open the first opening 91a of the first storage chamber 91 and the second opening 92a of the second storage chamber 92 regardless of whether the first outer door 41 slides forward or rearward. Accordingly, the articles stored in the first storage chamber 91 and the second storage chamber 92 can be taken in and out easily, regardless of whether the first outer door 41 slides forward or rearward.

Similarly, it is possible to fully open the third opening 93a of the third storage chamber 93 and the fourth opening 94a of the fourth storage chamber 94 regardless of whether the second outer door 42 slides forward or rearward. Accordingly, the articles stored in the third storage chamber 93 and the fourth storage chamber 94 can be taken in and out easily, regardless of whether the second outer door 42 slides forward or rearward.

Second Embodiment

Next, a second embodiment of the operation of the outer door 40 and the inner door 60 according to the configuration of the storage chambers 90 in the luggage cargo 20 will be described with reference to FIG. 13.

In the present embodiment, to simplify and clarify the description, the storage chamber 90 that is the second from the top in the upper-lower direction and on the rear side in the front-rear direction is referred to as a first storage chamber 91, the storage chamber 90 that is the second from the bottom in the upper-lower direction and on the rear side in the front-rear direction is referred to as a second storage chamber 92, the storage chamber 90 that is the second from the top in the upper-lower direction and on the front side in the front-rear direction is referred to as a third storage chamber 93, the storage chamber 90 that is the second from the bottom in the upper-lower direction and on the front side in the front-rear direction is referred to as a fourth storage chamber 94, and the storage chamber 90 that is the second from the top in the upper-lower direction and at the center in the front-rear direction is referred to as a fifth storage chamber 95. The first storage chamber 91 has a first opening 91a that is open leftward. The second storage chamber 92 has a second opening 92a that is open leftward. The third storage chamber 93 has a third opening 93a that is open leftward. The fourth storage chamber 94 has a fourth opening 94a that is open leftward. The fifth storage chamber 95 has a fifth opening 95a that is open leftward. The first storage chamber 91 includes a front wall 91b forming the front end and a rear wall 91c forming the rear end. The second storage chamber 92 includes a front wall 92b forming the front end and a rear wall 92c forming the rear end. The third storage chamber 93 includes a front wall 93b forming the front end and a rear wall 93c forming the rear end. The fourth storage chamber 94 includes a front wall 94b forming the front end and a rear wall 94c forming the rear end. The fifth storage chamber 95 includes a front wall 95b forming the front end and a rear wall 95c forming the rear end. In the present embodiment, the rear wall 91c of the first storage chamber 91 and the rear wall 92c of the second storage chamber 92 are formed by the rear wall 20b of the luggage cargo 20. The front wall 93b of the third storage chamber 93 and the front wall 94b of the fourth storage chamber 94 are formed by the front wall 20a of the luggage cargo 20. Further, the front wall 91b of the first storage chamber 91 and the rear wall 95c of the fifth storage chamber 95 are formed by the partition wall 82 locked to the second locking portion 80c provided on the rear side of the lower surface of the partition wall 81 locked to the locking portion 80a of the upper stage among the three locking portions 80a aligned in the upper-lower direction and the second locking portion 80c provided on the rear side of the upper surface of the partition wall 81 locked to the locking portion 80a of the middle stage among the three locking portions 80a aligned in the upper-lower direction. The rear wall 91c of the third storage chamber 93 and the front wall 95b of the fifth storage chamber 95 are formed by the partition wall 82 locked to the second locking portion 80c provided on the front side of the lower surface of the partition wall 81 locked to the locking portion 80a in the upper stage among the three locking portions 80a aligned in the upper-lower direction and the second locking portion 80c provided on the front side of the upper surface of the partition wall 81 locked to the locking portion 80a in the middle stage among the three locking portions 80a aligned in the upper-lower direction. The front wall 92b of the second storage chamber 92 and the rear wall 94c of the fourth storage chamber 94 are formed by the partition wall 82 locked to the first locking portion 80b provided at the center portion in the front-rear direction of the lower surface of the partition wall 81 locked to the middle locking portion 80a among the three locking portions 80a aligned in the upper-lower direction and the first locking portion 80b provided at the center portion in the front-rear direction of the upper surface of the partition wall 81 locked to the lower locking portion 80a among the three locking portions 80a aligned in the upper-lower direction.

Accordingly, the first opening 91a, the second opening 92a, the third opening 93a, the fourth opening 94a, and the fifth opening 95a all open leftward. The first storage chamber 91, the third storage chamber 93 and the fifth storage chamber 95 are aligned in the front-rear direction such that the fifth storage chamber 95 is located between the first storage chamber 91 and the third storage chamber 93. The second storage chamber 92 and the fourth storage chamber 94 are aligned in the front-rear direction. The first storage chamber 91, the third storage chamber 93, the fifth storage chamber 95, the second storage chamber 92 and the fourth storage chamber 94 are aligned in the upper-lower direction.

In addition, in the present embodiment, to simplify and clarify the description, among the eight inner doors 60 that cover the open left surface of the luggage cargo 20, the inner door 60 that is the second from the top in the upper-lower direction and on the rear side in the front-rear direction is referred to as a first inner door 61, the inner door 60 that is the second from the bottom in the upper-lower direction and on the rear side in the front-rear direction is referred to as a second inner door 62, the inner door 60 that is the second from the top in the upper-lower direction and on the front side in the front-rear direction is referred to as a third inner door 63, and the inner door 60 that is the second from the bottom in the upper-lower direction and on the front side in the front-rear direction is referred to as a fourth inner door 64.

Accordingly, the first inner door 61 and the second inner door 62 are aligned in the upper-lower direction, and the third inner door 63 and the fourth inner door 64 are aligned in the upper-lower direction. Further, the first inner door 61 and the third inner door 63 are aligned in the front-rear direction, and the second inner door 62 and the fourth inner door 64 are aligned in the front-rear direction.

The first inner door 61 and the second inner door 62 can be coupled to the first outer door 41, and the third inner door 63 and the fourth inner door 64 can be coupled to the second outer door 42. The first inner door 61 is slidable in the front-rear direction together with the first outer door 41 if coupled to the first outer door 41, the second inner door 62 is slidable in the front-rear direction together with the first outer door 41 if coupled to the first outer door 41, the third inner door 63 is slidable in the front-rear direction together with the second outer door 42 if coupled to the second outer door 42, and the fourth inner door 64 is slidable in the front-rear direction together with the second outer door 42 if coupled to the second outer door 42.

As illustrated in (a) of FIG. 13, the first opening 91a of the first storage chamber 91 is opened and closed by the first inner door 61 sliding in the front-rear direction together with the first outer door 41 while being coupled to the first outer door 41. Specifically, the first opening 91a of the first storage chamber 91 is changed from the closed state to the open state by the first inner door 61 sliding forward together with the first outer door 41 while being coupled to the first outer door 41, and is changed from the open state to the closed state by the first inner door 61 sliding rearward together with the first outer door 41 while being coupled to the first outer door 41. Further, as the first inner door 61 slides in the front-rear direction together with the first outer door 41 while being coupled to the first outer door 41, the third inner door 63 and the second outer door 42 slide in the front-rear direction while being coupled so as not to interfere with the first outer door 41 and the first inner door 61. At this time, by bringing the inner doors 60 other than the first inner door 61 and the third inner door 63 into the state of not being coupled to the first outer door 41 and the second outer door 42, the first inner door 61 slides in the front-rear direction together with the first outer door 41 alone, the third inner door 63 slides in the front-rear direction together with the second outer door 42 alone, and the other inner doors 60 do not slide in the front-rear direction. Thus, the first opening 91a of the first storage chamber 91 can be opened and closed alone.

As illustrated in (b) of FIG. 13, the third opening 93a of the third storage chamber 93 is opened and closed by the third inner door 63 sliding in the front-rear direction together with the second outer door 42 while being coupled to the second outer door 42. Specifically, the third opening 93a of the third storage chamber 93 is changed from the closed state to the open state by the third inner door 63 sliding rearward together with the second outer door 42 while being coupled to the second outer door 42, and is changed from the open state to the closed state by the third inner door 63 sliding forward together with the second outer door 42 while being coupled to the second outer door 42. Further, as the third inner door 63 slides in the front-rear direction together with the second outer door 42 while being coupled to the second outer door 42, the first inner door 61 and the first outer door 41 slide in the front-rear direction while being coupled so as not to interfere with the second outer door 42 and the third inner door 63. At this time, by bringing the inner doors 60 other than the first inner door 61 and the third inner door 63 into the state of not being coupled to the first outer door 41 and the second outer door 42, the first inner door 61 slides in the front-rear direction together with the first outer door 41 alone, the third inner door 63 slides in the front-rear direction together with the second outer door 42 alone, and the other inner doors 60 do not slide in the front-rear direction. Thus, the third opening 93a of the third storage chamber 93 can be opened and closed alone.

As illustrated in (c) of FIG. 13, in the fifth opening 95a of the fifth storage chamber 95, the rear half region is opened and closed by the first inner door 61 sliding in the front-rear direction together with the first outer door 41 while being coupled to the first outer door 41, and the front half region is opened and closed by the third inner door 63 sliding in the front-rear direction together with the second outer door 42 while being coupled to the second outer door 42. Specifically, the rear half region of the fifth opening 95a of the fifth storage chamber 95 is changed from the open state to the closed state by the first inner door 61 sliding rearward together with the first outer door 41 while being coupled to the first outer door 41, and the rear half region of the fifth opening 95a of the fifth storage chamber 95 changes from the open state to the closed state by the first inner door 61 sliding forward together with the first outer door 41 while being coupled to the first outer door 41. The front half region of the fifth opening 95a of the fifth storage chamber 95 is changed from the open state to the closed state by the third inner door 63 sliding forward together with the second outer door 42 while being coupled to the second outer door 42, and the front half region of the fifth opening 95a of the fifth storage chamber 95 changes from the open state to the closed state by the third inner door 63 sliding rearward together with the second outer door 42 while being coupled to the second outer door 42. At this time, by bringing the inner doors 60 other than the first inner door 61 and the third inner door 63 into the state of not being coupled to the first outer door 41 and the second outer door 42, the first inner door 61 slides in the front-rear direction together with the first outer door 41 alone, the third inner door 63 slides in the front-rear direction together with the second outer door 42 alone, and the other inner doors 60 do not slide in the front-rear direction. Thus, the fifth opening 95a of the fifth storage chamber 95 can be opened and closed alone.

Accordingly, even if the storage chambers 90 are aligned in three in the front-rear direction, it is possible to open and close the opening of any storage chamber 90 alone among the storage chambers 90 aligned in three in the front-rear direction with a simple configuration. Further, the openings of the storage chambers 90 to kept closed are kept closed by the inner doors 60. If the openings of the storage chambers 90 are closed only by the outer door 40, a gap is generated between the openings of the storage chambers 90 and the outer door 40 due to the space for the inner doors 60 to slide. In the present embodiment, since the openings of the storage chambers 90 to be kept closed are kept closed by the inner doors 60, the openings of the storage chambers 90 to be kept closed can be kept closed without a gap.

Similarly to the first embodiment, as illustrated in (b) of FIG. 12, the second opening 92a of the second storage chamber 92 is opened and closed by the second inner door 62 sliding in the front-rear direction together with the first outer door 41 while being coupled to the first outer door 41.

Similarly to the first embodiment, as illustrated in (d) of FIG. 12, the fourth opening 94a of the fourth storage chamber 94 is opened and closed by the fourth inner door 64 sliding in the front-rear direction together with the second outer door 42 while being coupled to the second outer door 42.

Although an embodiment of the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment. It is apparent that those skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications and changes within the scope described in the claims, and it is understood that such modifications and changes naturally fall within the technical scope of the present invention. In addition, the components in the above embodiment may be freely combined without departing from the gist of the invention.

For example, in the present embodiment, the luggage cargo 20 is open in the left-right direction, and the openings of the storage chambers 90 are open in the left-right direction. However, the luggage cargo 20 may be open in the front-rear direction, and the openings of the storage chambers 90 may be open in the front-rear direction. Alternatively, the luggage cargo 20 may be open obliquely in the front-rear direction relative to the left-right direction, and the opening of each storage chamber 90 may be open in the front-rear direction diagonally relative to the left-right direction.

In the present specification, at least the following matters are described. In parentheses, corresponding components and the like in the above embodiment are shown as an example, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

(1) An article storage device (article storage device 10), including:

• • a luggage cargo (luggage cargo 20) having a plurality of storage chambers (storage chambers 90) configured to store articles;
  • an outer door (outer door 40) configured to slide in a first direction (front-rear direction) relative to the luggage cargo;
  • an outer door drive device (outer door drive device 50) configured to slide the outer door in the first direction;
  • a plurality of inner doors (inner doors 60) provided between the outer door and the luggage cargo, the inner doors being configured to slide in the first direction relative to the luggage cargo; and
  • a switching device (switching device 70) provided for each of the inner doors, the switching device being configured to switch the inner door between a state of being coupled to the outer door and a state of not being coupled to the outer door, in which
  • the inner doors are slidable in the first direction together with the outer door if coupled to the outer door,
  • the plurality of inner doors include a first inner door (first inner door 61) and a second inner door (second inner door 62),
  • the plurality of storage chambers include a first storage chamber (first storage chamber 91) having a first opening (first opening 91a) and a second storage chamber (second storage chamber 92) having a second opening (second opening 92a),
  • the first opening of the first storage chamber is opened and closed by the first inner door sliding in the first direction together with the outer door while being coupled to the outer door, and
  • the second opening of the second storage chamber is opened and closed by the second inner door sliding in the first direction together with the outer door while being coupled to the outer door.

According to (1), the first opening of the first storage chamber is opened and closed by the first inner door sliding in the first direction together with the outer door while being coupled to the outer door, and the second opening of the second storage chamber is opened and closed by the second inner door sliding in the first direction together with the outer door while being coupled to the outer door. Therefore, the article storage device can open and close the opening of any one storage chamber alone among the plurality of storage chambers of the luggage cargo with a simple configuration.

(2) The article storage device according to (1), in which

• • the first opening and the second opening open in a second direction (left-right direction) orthogonal to the first direction,
  • the first inner door and the second inner door are aligned in a third direction (upper-lower direction) orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction, and
  • the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are aligned in the third direction.

According to (2), even if the slidable direction of the first outer door is one direction in the first direction, it is possible to open and close the opening of any storage chamber alone among the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber aligned in the third direction. Therefore, the article storage device can have a simpler configuration.

(3) The article storage device according to (1) or (2), in which

• • the outer door drive device is arranged above the luggage cargo.

According to (3), since the outer door drive device is arranged above the luggage cargo, when the luggage cargo is mounted on a delivery vehicle or the like, the luggage cargo can be arranged lower than in a case where the outer door drive device is provided below the luggage cargo. Therefore, the articles stored in the storage chambers can be taken in and out easily.

(4) The article storage device according to any one of (1) to (3), in which

• • the outer door is configured to cover the first opening and the second opening, and
  • the outer door drive device is arranged in the vicinity of a center of a slidable range of the outer door in the first direction.

According to (4), since the outer door drive device is arranged in the vicinity of the center of the slidable range of the outer door in the first direction, it is possible to reduce the portion protruding from the outer door in the first direction of the member of the outer door that engages with the outer door drive device. Accordingly, the article storage device can be downsized.

(5) The article storage device according to any one of (1) to (4), in which

• • the outer door has a first end (front end 41a) on one side (front side) in the first direction and a second end (rear end 41b) on the other side (rear side) in the first direction,
  • the first storage chamber has a first wall (front wall 91b) forming an end on the one side in the first direction and a second wall (rear wall 91c) forming an end on the other side in the first direction,
  • the second storage chamber has a first wall (front wall 92b) forming an end on the one side in the first direction and a second wall (rear wall 92c) forming an end on the other side in the first direction, and
  • the outer door
    • is configured to slide toward the other side in the first direction to a position where the first end is at a position the same as the second wall of the first storage chamber and the second wall of the second storage chamber, or at a position closer to the other side in the first direction than are the second wall of the first storage chamber and the second wall of the second storage chamber, and
    • is configured to slide toward the one side in the first direction to a position where the second end is at a position the same as the first wall of the first storage chamber and the first wall of the second storage chamber, or at a position closer to the one side in the first direction than are the first wall of the first storage chamber and the first wall of the second storage chamber.

According to (5), it is possible to fully open the first opening of the first storage chamber and the second opening of the second storage chamber regardless of whether the outer door slides to the one side or the other side in the first direction. Accordingly, the articles stored in the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber can be taken in and out easily, regardless of whether the outer door slides to the one side or the other side in the first direction.

(6) The article storage device according to any one of (1) to (5), in which

• • the switching device includes:
    • a first coupling mechanism (first coupling mechanism 71) provided on the inner door; and
    • a second coupling mechanism (second coupling mechanism 72) provided on the luggage cargo,
  • the outer door is formed with an engaged portion (recess 40a),
  • the inner door is formed with an engaged portion (through hole 60a),
  • the first coupling mechanism has an engaging portion (engagement pin 713) configured to engage with the engaged portion formed on the outer door,
  • the second coupling mechanism has an engaging portion (engagement rod 721) configured to engage with the engaged portion formed on the inner door,
  • the inner door is coupled to the luggage cargo and is not slidable in the first direction relative to the luggage cargo if the engaging portion of the second coupling mechanism engages with the engaged portion formed on the inner door,
  • the inner door is coupled to the outer door and slidable in the first direction relative to the luggage cargo together with the outer door if the engaging portion of the first coupling mechanism engages with the engaged portion formed in the outer door,
  • the first coupling mechanism and the second coupling mechanism operate in conjunction such that:
    • the engaging portion of the first coupling mechanism disengages from the engaged portion formed on the outer door if the engaging portion of the second coupling mechanism engages with the engaged portion formed on the inner door, and
    • the engaging portion of the first coupling mechanism engages with the engaged portion formed on the outer door if the engaging portion of the second coupling mechanism disengages from the engaged portion formed on the inner door.

According to (6), due to the switching device, the inner door can be coupled to the luggage cargo and become not slidable if not coupled to the outer door, and can stop being coupled to the luggage cargo and become slidable if coupled to the outer door. Accordingly, it is possible to switch the inner door between the state of being coupled to the outer door and the state of not being coupled to the outer door with a simple configuration, and to prevent the inner door from an erroneous slide operation if the inner door is not coupled to the outer door.

(7) The article storage device according to (6), in which

• • the engaging portion of the second coupling mechanism engages with the engaged portion formed on the inner door by protruding toward the inner door, and
  • if the engaging portion of the first coupling mechanism engages with the engaged portion formed on the outer door, when the inner door slides in the first direction relative to the luggage cargo together with the outer door while being coupled to the outer door,
    • the second coupling mechanism operates such that the engaging portion of the second coupling mechanism protrudes toward the inner door and comes into contact with the inner door before a position of the inner door reaches a position where the engaging portion of the second coupling mechanism is engageable with the engaged portion formed on the inner door.

According to (7), the engaging portion of the second coupling mechanism operates to protrude toward the inner door and come into contact with the inner door before the position of the inner door reaches the position where the engaging portion of the second coupling mechanism is engageable with the engaged portion formed on the inner door. Therefore, even if the inner door is displaced when sliding, the engaging portion of the second coupling mechanism can reliably engage with the engaged portion formed on the inner door when reaching the position where the engaged portion formed on the inner door is engageable with the engaging portion of the second coupling mechanism.

(8) The article storage device according to any one of (1) to (7), in which

• • the article storage device includes a plurality of outer doors,
  • the plurality of outer doors include a first outer door (first outer door 41) and a second outer door (second outer door 42),
  • the plurality of inner doors further include a third inner door (third inner door 63) and a fourth inner door (fourth inner door 64),
  • the first inner door and the second inner door are couplable to the first outer door,
  • the third inner door and the fourth inner door are couplable to the second outer door,
  • the first inner door is slidable in the first direction together with the first outer door if coupled to the first outer door,
  • the second inner door is slidable in the first direction together with the first outer door if coupled to the first outer door,
  • the third inner door is slidable in the first direction together with the second outer door if coupled to the second outer door,
  • the fourth inner door is slidable in the first direction together with the second outer door if coupled to the second outer door,
  • the plurality of storage chambers further include a third storage chamber (third storage chamber 93) having a third opening (third opening 93a) and a fourth storage chamber (fourth storage chamber 94) having a fourth opening (fourth opening 94a),
  • the first opening of the first storage chamber is opened and closed by the first inner door sliding in the first direction together with the first outer door while being coupled to the first outer door,
  • the second opening of the second storage chamber is opened and closed by the second inner door sliding in the first direction together with the first outer door while being coupled to the first outer door,
  • the third opening of the third storage chamber is opened and closed by the third inner door sliding in the first direction together with the second outer door while being coupled to the second outer door, and
  • the fourth opening of the fourth storage chamber is opened and closed by the fourth inner door sliding in the first direction together with the second outer door while being coupled to the second outer door.

According to (8), since the article storage device includes the first outer door and the second outer door, even for a plurality of storage chambers that are not aligned in the third direction, it is possible to open and close the opening of any storage chamber alone among the plurality of storage chambers of the luggage cargo with a simple configuration.

(9) The article storage device according to (8), in which

• • the first opening, the second opening, the third opening and the fourth opening are opened in a second direction (left-right direction) orthogonal to the first direction,
  • the first outer door and the second outer door are aligned in the first direction,
  • the first inner door and the second inner door are aligned in a third direction (upper-lower direction) orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction,
  • the third inner door and the fourth inner door are aligned in the third direction,
  • the first inner door and the third inner door are aligned in the first direction,
  • the second inner door and the fourth inner door are aligned in the first direction,
  • the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are aligned in the third direction,
  • the third storage chamber and the fourth storage chamber are aligned in the third direction,
  • the first storage chamber and the third storage chamber are aligned in the first direction,
  • the second storage chamber and the fourth storage chamber are aligned in the first direction.

According to (9), even if the storage chambers 90 are aligned in two in the third direction and in two in the first direction, it is possible to open and close the opening of any storage chamber alone among the plurality of storage chambers aligned in two in the third direction and in two in the first direction with a simple configuration.

(10) The article storage device according to (9), in which

• • the plurality of storage chambers further include a fifth storage chamber (fifth storage chamber 95) having a fifth opening (fifth opening 95a),
  • the fifth opening is open in the second direction,
  • the first storage chamber, the third storage chamber and the fifth storage chamber are aligned in the first direction such that the fifth storage chamber is located between the first storage chamber and the third storage chamber,
  • the first storage chamber, the third storage chamber, the fifth storage chamber, the second storage chamber and the fourth storage chamber are aligned in the third direction,
  • the fifth opening of the fifth storage chamber has a part opened and closed by the first inner door sliding in the first direction together with the first outer door while being coupled to the first outer door, and the other part opened and closed by the third inner door sliding in the first direction together with the second outer door while being coupled to the second outer door.

According to (10), even if the storage chambers are aligned in three in the first direction, it is possible to open and close the opening of any storage chamber alone among the storage chambers aligned in three in the first direction with a simple configuration.

(11) The article storage device according to any one of (8) to (10), in which

• • the first outer door has a first end (front end 41a) on one side (front side) in the first direction and a second end (rear end 41b) on the other side (rear side) in the first direction,
  • the first storage chamber has a first wall (front wall 91b) forming an end on the one side in the first direction and a second wall (rear wall 91c) forming an end on the other side in the first direction,
  • the second storage chamber has a first wall (front wall 92b) forming an end on the one side in the first direction and a second wall (rear wall 92c) forming an end on the other side in the first direction,
  • the first outer door
    • is configured to slide toward the other side in the first direction to a position where the first end is at a position the same as the second wall of the first storage chamber and the second wall of the second storage chamber, or at a position closer to the other side in the first direction than are the second wall of the first storage chamber and the second wall of the second storage chamber, and
    • is configured to slide toward the one side in the first direction to a position where the second end is at a position the same as the first wall of the first storage chamber and the first wall of the second storage chamber, or at a position closer to the one side in the first direction than are the first wall of the first storage chamber and the first wall of the second storage chamber,
  • the second outer door has a first end (front end 42a) on the one side in the first direction and a second end (rear end 42b) on the other side in the first direction,
  • the third storage chamber has a first wall (front wall 93b) forming an end on the one side in the first direction and a second wall (rear wall 93c) forming an end on the other side in the first direction,
  • the fourth storage chamber has a first wall (front wall 94b) forming an end on the one side in the first direction and a second wall (rear wall 94c) forming an end on the other side in the first direction, and
  • the second outer door
    • is configured to slide toward the other side in the first direction to a position where the first end is at a position the same as the second wall of the third storage chamber and the second wall of the fourth storage chamber, or at a position closer to the other side in the first direction than are the second wall of the third storage chamber and the second wall of the fourth storage chamber, and
    • is configured to slide toward the one side in the first direction to a position where the second end is at a position the same as the first wall of the third storage chamber and the first wall of the fourth storage chamber, or at a position closer to the one side in the first direction than are the first wall of the third storage chamber and the first wall of the fourth storage chamber.

According to (11), it is possible to fully open the first opening of the first storage chamber and the second opening of the second storage chamber regardless of whether the first outer door slides to the one side or the other side in the first direction, and it is possible to fully open the third opening of the third storage chamber and the fourth opening of the fourth storage chamber regardless of whether the second outer door slides to the one side or the other side in the first direction. Accordingly, the articles stored in the first storage chamber, the second storage chamber, the third storage chamber and the fourth storage chamber can be taken in and out easily, regardless of whether the first outer door and the second outer door slide toward the one side or the other side in the first direction.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

• • 10: article storage device
  • 20: luggage cargo
  • 40: outer door
  • 40a: recess (engaged portion)
  • 41: first outer door
  • 41a: front end (first end)
  • 41b: rear end (second end)
  • 42: second outer door
  • 42a: front end (first end)
  • 42b: rear end (second end)
  • 50: outer door drive device
  • 60: inner door
  • 60a: through hole (engaged portion)
  • 61: first inner door
  • 62: second inner door
  • 63: third inner door
  • 64: fourth inner door
  • 70: switching device
  • 71: first coupling mechanism
  • 713: engagement pin (engaging portion)
  • 72: second coupling mechanism
  • 721: engagement rod (engaging portion)
  • 90: storage chamber
  • 91: first storage chamber
  • 91a: first opening
  • 91b: front wall (first wall)
  • 91c: rear wall (second wall)
  • 92: second storage chamber
  • 92a: second opening
  • 92b: front wall (first wall)
  • 92c: rear wall (second wall)
  • 93: third storage chamber
  • 93a: third opening
  • 93b: front wall (first wall)
  • 93c: rear wall (second wall)
  • 94: fourth storage chamber
  • 94a: fourth opening
  • 94b: front wall (first wall)
  • 94c: rear wall (second wall)
  • 95: fifth storage chamber
  • 95a: fifth opening

Claims

1. An article storage device, comprising:

a luggage cargo having a plurality of storage chambers configured to store articles;

an outer door configured to slide in a first direction relative to the luggage cargo;

an outer door drive device configured to slide the outer door in the first direction;

a plurality of inner doors provided between the outer door and the luggage cargo, the inner doors being configured to slide in the first direction relative to the luggage cargo; and

a switching device provided for each of the inner doors, the switching device being configured to switch the inner door between a state of being coupled to the outer door and a state of not being coupled to the outer door, wherein

the inner doors are slidable in the first direction together with the outer door if coupled to the outer door,

the plurality of inner doors include a first inner door and a second inner door,

the plurality of storage chambers include a first storage chamber having a first opening and a second storage chamber having a second opening,

the first opening of the first storage chamber is opened and closed by the first inner door sliding in the first direction together with the outer door while being coupled to the outer door, and

the second opening of the second storage chamber is opened and closed by the second inner door sliding in the first direction together with the outer door while being coupled to the outer door.

2. The article storage device according to claim 1, wherein

the first opening and the second opening open in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction,

the first inner door and the second inner door are aligned in a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction, and

the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are aligned in the third direction.

3. The article storage device according to claim 1, wherein

the outer door drive device is arranged above the luggage cargo.

4. The article storage device according to claim 1, wherein

the outer door is configured to cover the first opening and the second opening, and

the outer door drive device is arranged in the vicinity of a center of a slidable range of the outer door in the first direction.

5. The article storage device according to claim 1, wherein

the outer door has a first end on one side in the first direction and a second end on the other side in the first direction,

the first storage chamber has a first wall forming an end on the one side in the first direction and a second wall forming an end on the other side in the first direction,

the second storage chamber has a first wall forming an end on the one side in the first direction and a second wall forming an end on the other side in the first direction, and

the outer door is configured to slide toward the other side in the first direction to a position where the first end is at a position the same as the second wall of the first storage chamber and the second wall of the second storage chamber, or at a position closer to the other side in the first direction than are the second wall of the first storage chamber and the second wall of the second storage chamber, and is configured to slide toward the one side in the first direction to a position where the second end is at a position the same as the first wall of the first storage chamber and the first wall of the second storage chamber, or at a position closer to the one side in the first direction than are the first wall of the first storage chamber and the first wall of the second storage chamber.

6. The article storage device according to claim 1, wherein

the switching device includes: a first coupling mechanism provided on the inner door; and a second coupling mechanism provided on the luggage cargo,

the outer door is formed with an engaged portion,

the inner door is formed with an engaged portion,

the first coupling mechanism has an engaging portion configured to engage with the engaged portion formed on the outer door,

the second coupling mechanism has an engaging portion configured to engage with the engaged portion formed on the inner door,

the inner door is coupled to the luggage cargo and is not slidable in the first direction relative to the luggage cargo if the engaging portion of the second coupling mechanism engages with the engaged portion formed on the inner door,

the inner door is coupled to the outer door and slidable in the first direction relative to the luggage cargo together with the outer door if the engaging portion of the first coupling mechanism engages with the engaged portion formed in the outer door,

the first coupling mechanism and the second coupling mechanism operate in conjunction such that: the engaging portion of the first coupling mechanism disengages from the engaged portion formed on the outer door if the engaging portion of the second coupling mechanism engages with the engaged portion formed on the inner door, and the engaging portion of the first coupling mechanism engages with the engaged portion formed on the outer door if the engaging portion of the second coupling mechanism disengages from the engaged portion formed on the inner door.

7. The article storage device according to claim 6, wherein

the engaging portion of the second coupling mechanism engages with the engaged portion formed on the inner door by protruding toward the inner door, and

if the engaging portion of the first coupling mechanism engages with the engaged portion formed on the outer door, when the inner door slides in the first direction relative to the luggage cargo together with the outer door while being coupled to the outer door, the second coupling mechanism operates such that the engaging portion of the second coupling mechanism protrudes toward the inner door and comes into contact with the inner door before a position of the inner door reaches a position where the engaging portion of the second coupling mechanism is engageable with the engaged portion formed on the inner door.

8. The article storage device according to claim 1, wherein

the article storage device includes a plurality of outer doors,

the plurality of outer doors include a first outer door and a second outer door,

the plurality of inner doors further include a third inner door and a fourth inner door,

the first inner door and the second inner door are couplable to the first outer door,

the third inner door and the fourth inner door are couplable to the second outer door,

the first inner door is slidable in the first direction together with the first outer door if coupled to the first outer door,

the second inner door is slidable in the first direction together with the first outer door if coupled to the first outer door,

the third inner door is slidable in the first direction together with the second outer door if coupled to the second outer door,

the fourth inner door is slidable in the first direction together with the second outer door if coupled to the second outer door,

the plurality of storage chambers further include a third storage chamber having a third opening and a fourth storage chamber having a fourth opening,

the first opening of the first storage chamber is opened and closed by the first inner door sliding in the first direction together with the first outer door while being coupled to the first outer door,

the second opening of the second storage chamber is opened and closed by the second inner door sliding in the first direction together with the first outer door while being coupled to the first outer door,

the third opening of the third storage chamber is opened and closed by the third inner door sliding in the first direction together with the second outer door while being coupled to the second outer door, and

the fourth opening of the fourth storage chamber is opened and closed by the fourth inner door sliding in the first direction together with the second outer door while being coupled to the second outer door.

9. The article storage device according to claim 8, wherein

the first opening, the second opening, the third opening and the fourth opening are opened in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction,

the first outer door and the second outer door are aligned in the first direction,

the first inner door and the second inner door are aligned in a third direction orthogonal to both the first direction and the second direction,

the third inner door and the fourth inner door are aligned in the third direction,

the first inner door and the third inner door are aligned in the first direction,

the second inner door and the fourth inner door are aligned in the first direction,

the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber are aligned in the third direction,

the third storage chamber and the fourth storage chamber are aligned in the third direction,

the first storage chamber and the third storage chamber are aligned in the first direction,

the second storage chamber and the fourth storage chamber are aligned in the first direction.

10. The article storage device according to claim 9, wherein

the plurality of storage chambers further include a fifth storage chamber having a fifth opening,

the fifth opening is open in the second direction,

the first storage chamber, the third storage chamber and the fifth storage chamber are aligned in the first direction such that the fifth storage chamber is located between the first storage chamber and the third storage chamber,

the first storage chamber, the third storage chamber, the fifth storage chamber, the second storage chamber and the fourth storage chamber are aligned in the third direction,

the fifth opening of the fifth storage chamber has a part opened and closed by the first inner door sliding in the first direction together with the first outer door while being coupled to the first outer door, and the other part opened and closed by the third inner door sliding in the first direction together with the second outer door while being coupled to the second outer door.

11. The article storage device according to claim 8, wherein

the first outer door has a first end on one side in the first direction and a second end on the other side in the first direction,

the first storage chamber has a first wall forming an end on the one side in the first direction and a second wall forming an end on the other side in the first direction,

the second storage chamber has a first wall forming an end on the one side in the first direction and a second wall forming an end on the other side in the first direction,

the first outer door is configured to slide toward the other side in the first direction to a position where the first end is at a position the same as the second wall of the first storage chamber and the second wall of the second storage chamber, or at a position closer to the other side in the first direction than are the second wall of the first storage chamber and the second wall of the second storage chamber, and is configured to slide toward the one side in the first direction to a position where the second end is at a position the same as the first wall of the first storage chamber and the first wall of the second storage chamber, or at a position closer to the one side in the first direction than are the first wall of the first storage chamber and the first wall of the second storage chamber,

the second outer door has a first end on the one side in the first direction and a second end on the other side in the first direction,

the third storage chamber has a first wall forming an end on the one side in the first direction and a second wall forming an end on the other side in the first direction,

the fourth storage chamber has a first wall forming an end on the one side in the first direction and a second wall forming an end on the other side in the first direction, and

the second outer door is configured to slide toward the other side in the first direction to a position where the first end is at a position the same as the second wall of the third storage chamber and the second wall of the fourth storage chamber, or at a position closer to the other side in the first direction than are the second wall of the third storage chamber and the second wall of the fourth storage chamber, and is configured to slide toward the one side in the first direction to a position where the second end is at a position the same as the first wall of the third storage chamber and the first wall of the fourth storage chamber, or at a position closer to the one side in the first direction than are the first wall of the third storage chamber and the first wall of the fourth storage chamber.