Vehicle storage container with multi-function, multi-segment articulated door assembly

A motor vehicle, comprising:

• a vehicle body with a rear cargo compartment aft of a passenger compartment, the rear cargo compartment including a cargo bed adjoined at an end thereof by a cargo sidewall, the cargo bed defining a wheel well and cooperating with the cargo sidewall to define a cavity;
• and
• a utility storage container disposed in the rear cargo compartment adjacent the cargo sidewall at least partially recessed into the cavity, the utility storage container comprising:
• an elongated container basin attached to the cargo sidewall and seated on the cargo bed and wheel well, the container basin including a base, a roof, and a plurality of sidewalls connecting the base with the roof to collectively define a storage volume with an opening;
• and
• an articulated door assembly with first and second elongated door segments, the first door segment being pivotably coupled to the container basin to transition the articulated door assembly between a closed position and a full-open position, and the second door segment being pivotably coupled to the first door segment to transition the articulated door assembly between the closed position and a half-open position,
• wherein the first and second door segments cooperatively cover the basin opening when the articulated door assembly is in the closed position,
• wherein the first door segment partially covers the basin opening while the second door segment partially uncovers the basin opening and defines a horizontal work surface when the articulated door assembly is in the half-open position, and
• wherein the first and second door segments uncover the basin opening when the articulated door assembly is in the full-open position.

A method of constructing a utility storage container for a motor vehicle with a vehicle body including a cargo compartment, the method comprising:

• forming a container basin configured to attach to the vehicle body and stow within the cargo compartment, the container basin including a base and a plurality of sidewalls projecting from the base to cooperatively define a storage volume with an opening;
• forming first and second door segments of an articulated door assembly;
• pivotably coupling the first door segment to the container basin such that the articulated door assembly transitions between a closed position, whereat the first and second door segments cooperatively cover the basin opening, and a full-open position, whereat the first and second door segments uncover the basin opening;
• and
• pivotably coupling the second door segment to the first door segment such that the articulated door assembly transitions between the closed position and a half-open position, whereat the second door segment partially uncovers the basin opening and defines a horizontal work surface.