Vehicle lamp

Abstract

Provided is a vehicle lamp configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from a light-emitting element toward the front of the lamp via a translucent member, wherein the shape of the translucent member is simplified, and the light emitted from the light-emitting element is efficiently utilized to perform intended light transmission control. Translucent members 40A, 30B are configured such that light that has been emitted downward from light-emitting elements 30A, 30B, has entered from light incident parts 42A, 42B, and has been totally reflected by light reflecting parts 44A, 44B is emitted from light emitting parts 46A, 46B toward the front of the lamp. In this case, the light-emitting elements 30A, 30B having light distribution characteristics in which a directional half-value angle α of light emitted from light-emitting surfaces 30Aa, 30Ba thereof is set to a value of α = 90° or less are used, and the light incident parts 42A, 30B are each formed of a single convex curved surface. Thus, most of the light emitted from the light-emitting elements 30A, 30B is caused to enter from the light incident parts 42A, 42B as parallel light directed downward in the lamp.

Description

Vehicular lamp

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicular lamp configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from a light emitting element toward the front of the lamp via a light-transmissive member.

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a vehicular lamp configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern, such as a low-beam light distribution pattern, by irradiating light emitted from a light emitting element toward the front of the lamp via a light-transmissive member.

[0003] "Patent Document 1" describes, as a configuration of a light-transmissive member in such a vehicular lamp, a configuration including: a light incident portion that allows light emitted from a downward-disposed light emitting element to enter; a light reflecting portion that totally reflects light incident from the light incident portion; and a light exit portion that emits light totally reflected by the light reflecting portion toward the front of the lamp.

[0004] The light-transmissive member described in "Patent Document 1" is configured such that after light emitted from the light emitting element is caused to enter downward as parallel light at the light incident portion, the light is totally reflected as convergent light toward the rear focal plane of the light exit portion at the light reflecting portion.

[0005] In addition, "Patent Document 2" describes such a vehicular lamp configured such that a light-transmissive member performs light transmission control on light emitted from an upward-disposed light emitting element, the light transmission control being substantially the same as that performed by the light-transmissive member described in "Patent Document 1".

[0006] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No.2022-189638 Japanese National Publication of International Patent Application No.2022-515178

[0007] Forming a lamp light distribution pattern by using a light-transmissive member as described in the above "Patent Document 1" and "Patent Document 2" enables efficient utilization of light emitted from a light emitting element.

[0008] However, the light-transmitting member described in "Patent Document 1" above is configured as a so-called TIR collimator, with its light-incident portion comprising a first incident surface that causes the emitted light from the light-emitting element to be incident as downward light, a second incident surface that causes the emitted light from the light-emitting element to be incident as light directed away from the first incident surface, and a total reflection surface that causes the incident light from the second incident surface to be totally reflected downward. As a result, its shape is complex. Furthermore, in a vehicle lighting device equipped with such a light-transmitting member, the light-emitting element is positioned in close proximity to the light-transmitting member, so there is a risk that the heat generated in the light-emitting element may deform the light-transmitting member, preventing the desired light transmission control from being achieved.

[0009] Furthermore, the light-transmitting member described in "Patent Document 2" also faces the same problem because its light-incident portion is configured as a TIR collimator.

[0010] The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp that is configured to form a light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from a light-emitting element toward the front of the lamp through a light-transmitting member, while simplifying the shape of the light-transmitting member and enabling the desired light transmission control to be performed by efficiently utilizing the light emitted from the light-emitting element.

[0011] The present invention aims to achieve the above objective by modifying the configuration of the light-emitting element and the shape of the light-incident portion in the light-transmitting member.

[0012] In other words, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from a light-emitting element toward the front of the lamp through a light-transmitting member, wherein the light-emitting element is positioned with its light-emitting surface facing a required direction intersecting the front-rear direction of the lamp, the light-transmitting member comprises a light-injecting section into which light emitted from the light-emitting element is incident, a light-reflecting section that totally reflects the light incident from the light-injecting section, and a light-emitting section that emits the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting section toward the front of the lamp, the light-emitting section has a convex lens-shaped surface, the light-injecting section is configured to incident light emitted from the light-emitting element as parallel light toward the required direction, and the light-reflecting section is configured to totally reflect the light incident from the light-injecting section as focused light toward the rear focal plane of the light-emitting section. The above-mentioned light-emitting element has a light distribution characteristic in which the directional half-angle of light emitted from the light-emitting surface is set to a value of 90° or less, and the light incident portion is composed of a single convex curved surface.

[0013] The "required direction" mentioned above is not limited to any specific direction as long as it intersects with the front-to-back direction of the light fixture; for example, downward or upward directions can be used.

[0014] The "light emitting part" described above is not particularly limited in its specific shape, as long as it has a convex lens-like surface shape.

[0015] The above-mentioned "directional half-angle" refers to the angle between two directions in which the luminous intensity of the light emitted from the light-emitting element is half the value in the direction perpendicular to the surface of the light-emitting element.

[0016] The vehicle lamp according to the present invention is configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern by irradiating the light emitted from a light-emitting element toward the front of the lamp through a light-transmitting member. The light-emitting element is positioned with its light-emitting surface facing a required direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction of the lamp. The light-transmitting member comprises a light-injecting section into which the light emitted from the light-emitting element is incident, a light-reflecting section that totally reflects the light incident from the light-injecting section, and a light-emitting section that emits the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting section toward the front of the lamp. In this configuration, the light-emitting section has a convex lens-shaped surface, the light-injecting section is configured to incident the light emitted from the light-emitting element as parallel light directed toward the required direction, and the light-reflecting section is configured to totally reflect the light incident from the light-injecting section as focused light directed toward the rear focal plane of the light-emitting section. Thus, the light emitted from the light-emitting element can be efficiently utilized to form a lamp light distribution pattern.

[0017] Furthermore, since the light-transmitting member has a single convex curved surface at its light-incident portion, its shape can be simplified. In addition, since the light-emitting element has a light distribution characteristic in which the directional half-angle of light emitted from its light-emitting surface is set to a value of 90° or less, even though the light-incident portion of the light-transmitting member has a single convex curved surface, most of the light emitted from the light-emitting element can be incident from the light-incident portion as parallel light directed in the required direction. Therefore, the desired light transmission control can be achieved by efficiently utilizing the light emitted from the light-emitting element. Moreover, by employing such a light-transmitting member, the light-emitting element can be positioned away from the light-transmitting member, thereby preventing the light-transmitting member from undergoing thermal deformation and failing to perform the desired light transmission control.

[0018] Thus, according to the present invention, in a vehicle lamp configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from a light-emitting element toward the front of the lamp through a light-transmitting member, the shape of the light-transmitting member can be simplified, and the light emitted from the light-emitting element can be efficiently utilized to perform the desired light transmission control.

[0019] In the above configuration, if the light-reflecting portion of the light-transmitting member has a surface shape in which the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along a first plane including the front-to-back direction and the up-to-down direction of the lamp is set to a value greater than the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along a second plane including the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction of the lamp, then it becomes easy to form the lamp's light distribution pattern as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern.

[0020] In this case, if the light-emitting portion of the light-transmitting member has a surface shape in which the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the second plane is set to a value greater than the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the first plane, it becomes even easier to form the light distribution pattern of the luminaire as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern.

[0021] In the above configuration, if the light-emitting elements are further arranged at multiple locations spaced apart in the left-right direction of the luminaire, and if the light-transmitting members are formed at multiple locations spaced apart in the left-right direction of the luminaire, the luminaire's light distribution pattern can be formed as a bright light distribution pattern with a large left-right diffusion angle, in which multiple light distribution patterns are superimposed.

[0022] In the above configuration, if the light-transmitting member is configured to have a surface shape such that the reflective region closer to the light incident area has a greater degree of convergence of reflected light than other reflective regions, the light distribution pattern of the luminaire can be formed as a light distribution pattern where the region closer to its upper or lower end is brighter.

[0023] In the above configuration, if a vehicle lamp is configured to form an additional light distribution pattern that is added to the low beam light distribution pattern when the high beam is irradiated, and the required direction is set to a downward direction, and the upper surface of the light-transmitting member is formed with a downward bent portion extending in the left-right direction of the lamp along the rear focal plane of the light-emitting portion, and a downward reflective surface extending diagonally upward toward the rear of the lamp from this downward bent portion, then the following effects can be obtained.

[0024] In other words, when such a configuration is adopted, the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting portion of the light-transmitting member reaches the light-emitting portion either directly or after totally reflecting downwards on the downward-facing reflective surface. As a result, the additional light distribution pattern can be formed as a light distribution pattern with a brighter lower region.

[0025] In the above configuration, if the light-reflecting portion of the light-transmitting member is configured such that the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along a second plane, including the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction of the lamp, is greater than the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along a first plane, including the front-to-back direction and the up-to-down direction of the lamp, and the light-emitting portion of the light-transmitting member is configured such that the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the second plane is smaller than the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the first plane, then the lamp's light distribution pattern can be formed as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern, and this light distribution pattern can be formed as a light distribution pattern with substantially uniform brightness to both the left and right ends.

[0026] In the above configuration, if the light-reflecting portion of the light-transmitting member is configured to totally reflect light incident from the light-incident portion as diffused light in the left-right direction of the luminaire, and the light-emitting portion of the light-transmitting member has a surface shape in which the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the second plane including the left-right direction of the luminaire is set to a smaller value than the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the first plane including the front-rear direction of the luminaire and the up-down direction of the luminaire, the luminaire light distribution pattern can be formed as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern, and this light distribution pattern can be formed as a light distribution pattern having substantially uniform brightness to both the left and right ends.

[0027] (a) is a front view showing a vehicle lamp according to one embodiment of the present invention, a cross-sectional view taken along line IIa-IIa in Figure 1 showing the first lamp unit of the vehicle lamp, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIb-IIb in Figure 1 showing the first lamp unit, a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 1 showing the second lamp unit of the vehicle lamp, (a) is a plan view showing the first lamp unit, (b) is a plan view showing the second lamp unit, a perspective view showing the first lamp unit, a perspective view showing the second lamp unit, (a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIa-VIIa in Figure 5, (b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIb-VIIb in Figure 6 A perspective view showing the light distribution pattern for the low beam formed by the light emitted from the above vehicle lamp. A perspective view showing the light distribution pattern for the high beam formed by the light emitted from the above vehicle lamp. (a) is a diagram showing an additional light distribution pattern for the high beam formed by the light emitted from the above vehicle lamp. (b) and (c) are diagrams showing two light distribution patterns that constitute the additional light distribution pattern. A perspective view showing the first lamp unit according to the first modified example of the above embodiment. A front view showing the vehicle lamp according to the second modified example of the above embodiment. (a) is a diagram showing the first lamp unit according to the second modified example. (b) is a plan view showing the second lamp unit according to the second modified example above. (a) is a plan view showing the first lamp unit according to the third modified example above. (b) is a cross-sectional view of line IIa-IIa in Figure 1 showing the first lamp unit of the vehicle lamp according to the fourth modified example above. (b) is a cross-sectional view of line III-III in Figure 1 showing the second lamp unit of the vehicle lamp according to the fourth modified example above. (c) is a plan view showing the first lamp unit according to the fifth modified example above. (d) is a cross-sectional view of line III-III in Figure 1 showing the second lamp unit of the vehicle lamp according to the fourth modified example above. (c) is a plan view showing the first lamp unit according to the fifth modified example above. A cross-sectional view along line IIb-IIb of Figure 1. A plan view showing the second lamp unit according to the sixth modified example of the above embodiment. A cross-sectional view along line III-III of Figure 1, showing the second lamp unit of the vehicle lamp according to the sixth modified example. (a) is a diagram showing the operation of the fifth modified example and transparently showing the low beam light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the vehicle lamp. (b) is a diagram showing the operation of the sixth modified example and transparently showing the additional high beam light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the vehicle lamp. (a) is a plan view showing the seventh modified example of the above embodiment and transparently showing the first lamp unit. (b) is,An eighth modified example of the above embodiment is shown, and a plan view showing the first lighting unit is provided.

[0028] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

[0029] Figure 1 is a front view showing a vehicle light fixture 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIa-IIa in Figure 1, Figure 2(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line IIb-IIb in Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 1.

[0030] In Figures 1-3, the direction indicated by X is "forward of the lamp," the direction indicated by Y is "leftward" (or "rightward" when viewed from the front of the lamp), and the direction indicated by Z is "upward." The same applies to figures other than Figures 1-3.

[0031] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the vehicle lamp 10 according to this embodiment is a headlamp positioned at the front end of the vehicle, and has a lamp chamber formed by a lamp body 12 and a transparent light-transmitting cover 14 attached to the front end opening of the lamp, in which first and second lamp units 20A and 20B are housed side by side in the left-right direction of the lamp (i.e., in the vehicle width direction). In this vehicle lamp 10, the first lamp unit 20A lights up when the low beam is illuminated, and the second lamp unit 20B lights up additionally when the high beam is illuminated.

[0032] The first and second luminaire units 20A and 20B are both projector-type luminaire units, configured to emit light from the light-emitting elements 30A and 30B and direct it toward the front of the luminaire through the light-transmitting members 40A and 40B. The light emitted from the first luminaire unit 20A forms a low-beam light distribution pattern PL with left-side distribution, having staggered cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 at the upper edge as shown in Figure 8, while the light emitted from the second luminaire unit 20B forms an additional high-beam light distribution pattern PA as shown in Figure 10(a) (these will be described later).

[0033] The light-emitting elements 30A and 30B are white light-emitting diodes having rectangular light-emitting surfaces 30Aa and 30Ba, and both have the same configuration.

[0034] These light-emitting elements 30A and 30B have a light distribution characteristic in which the directional half-width angle α of the light emitted from their light-emitting surfaces 30Aa and 30Ba is set to a value of α ≤ 90° (for example, a value of α = approximately 60°). These light-emitting elements 30A and 30B are supported on a common substrate 32 with their light-emitting surfaces 30Aa and 30Ba facing downwards (specifically, directly downwards) from the lamp.

[0035] The light-transmitting members 40A and 40B are both colorless and transparent resin members, and are configured to include light-incident sections 42A and 42B that receive light emitted from the light-emitting elements 30A and 30B, light-reflecting sections 44A and 44B that totally reflect the light incident from the light-incident sections 42A and 42B, and light-emitting sections 46A and 46B that emit the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting sections 44A and 44B toward the front of the lamp.

[0036] Next, the specific configurations of the first and second lighting units 20A and 20B will be described.

[0037] First, let's explain the configuration of the first lighting unit 20A.

[0038] Figure 4(a) is a plan view showing the first lighting unit 20A, and Figure 5 is a perspective view showing the first lighting unit 20A. Figure 7(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIIa-VIIa in Figure 5.

[0039] As shown in Figures 4(a), 5, and 7(a), the first luminaire unit 20A is formed such that its light-transmitting member 40A extends in an elongated shape in the front-to-back direction of the luminaire.

[0040] The light-emitting portion 46A of the light-transmitting member 40A has a convex lens-shaped surface with an axis Ax1 extending in the front-to-back direction of the lamp as the optical axis.

[0041] The light incident portion 42A of the light-transmitting member 40A is formed of a single convex curved surface, and is configured to cause light emitted from the light-emitting element 30A to enter downward as parallel light (more precisely, cause light emitted from the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 30A to enter downward as parallel light). To achieve this, the light incident portion 42A has a substantially hyperboloidal surface shape centered on an axis Ax2 that extends in the vertical direction of the lamp and passes through the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 30A. In this case, the light incident portion 42A is formed such that the axis Ax2 thereof is in a positional relationship orthogonal to the axis Ax1.

[0042] The light reflecting portion 44A of the light-transmitting member 40A has a substantially parabolic surface shape, whereby the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30A that has entered through the light incident portion 42A is totally reflected as converged light toward the rear focal plane of the light emitting portion 46A (that is, the focal plane including the rear focal point F of the light emitting portion 46A having a convex lens shape). In this case, the light reflecting portion 44A is formed such that the convergence degree of the reflected light thereof is greater in the vertical direction of the lamp than in the left-right direction of the lamp. To achieve this, the light reflecting portion 44A has a surface shape in which the curvature of a cross-section along a first plane including the front-rear direction of the lamp and the vertical direction of the lamp (that is, a vertical plane including the axis Ax2) is set to a larger value than the curvature of a cross-section along a second plane including the front-rear direction of the lamp and the left-right direction of the lamp (that is, a horizontal plane).

[0043] In the light-transmitting member 40A, the light reflecting portion 44A is disposed directly below the light incident portion 42A, and the light emitting portion 46A is disposed at a position spaced apart forward of the lamp from the light reflecting portion 44A, with a connecting portion 48A disposed between the light reflecting portion 44A and the light emitting portion 46A.

[0044] A front end surface 48Af of the connecting portion 48A is formed of a vertical plane surrounded by a square circumscribing a circular shape forming the outer peripheral edge of the light emitting portion 46A.

[0045] A pair of left and right side surfaces 48Ac of the connecting portion 48A are formed of vertical surfaces extending toward the rear of the lamp from the side edge of the front end surface 48Af, and the rear end regions thereof extend to positions on both sides of the light reflecting portion 44A.

[0046] An upper surface 48Aa of the connecting portion 48A is constituted by a flat surface formed to extend slightly downward toward the rear of the lamp from the upper edge of a front end surface 48Af, and a rear end region 48Aa1 thereof is formed to extend along a horizontal plane between the lower edge of a light incident portion 42A and the upper edge of a light reflecting portion 44A.

[0047] On a lower surface 48Ab of the connecting portion 48A, upward bent portions 48AbL for forming cut-off lines CL1 and CL2 (see FIG. 8) of a low-beam light distribution pattern PL are formed to extend in the left-right direction of the lamp in a left-right stepwise manner along the rear focal plane of a light emitting portion 46A (that is, the focal plane including the rear focal point F of the light emitting portion 46A). The upward bent portion 48AbL is formed so as to pass through a position slightly above the rear focal point F of the light emitting portion 46A.

[0048] On the lower surface 48Ab of the connecting portion 48A, a region located on the front side of the lamp relative to the upward bent portion 48AbL is formed as an inclined surface 48Ab1 extending obliquely downward from the upward bent portion 48AbL toward the lower edge of the front end surface 48Af, and a region located on the rear side of the lamp relative to the upward bent portion 48AbL is formed as an upward reflecting surface 48Ab2 extending obliquely downward from the upward bent portion 48AbL toward the lower edge of the light reflecting portion 44A. In addition, the upward reflecting surface 48Ab2 is formed such that a left region 48Ab2a located on the left side of an axis Ax1 has a larger inclination angle than a right region 48Ab2b located on the right side of the axis Ax1, and a belt-shaped region 48Ab2c connected to the left region 48Ab2a at the left end of the right region 48Ab2b is formed such that the inclination angle gradually changes.

[0049] In the light-transmitting member 40A, light totally reflected by the light reflecting portion 44A reaches the light emitting portion 46A directly or after being totally reflected by the upward reflecting surface 48Ab2, and is emitted toward the front of the lamp from the light emitting portion 46A. At this time, the light totally reflected by the left region 48Ab2a of the upward reflecting surface 48Ab2 reaches the light emitting portion 46A after being totally reflected again by the upper surface 48Aa of the connecting portion 48A, and is emitted downward at a large angle toward the front of the lamp from the light emitting portion 46A.

[0050] Next, the configuration of a second lamp unit 20B will be described.

[0051] Figure 4(b) is a plan view showing the second lighting unit 20B, and Figure 6 is a perspective view showing the second lighting unit 20B. Figure 7(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line VIIb-VIIb in Figure 6.

[0052] As shown in Figures 4(b), 6, and 7(b), the second luminaire unit 20B, like the first luminaire unit 20A, is formed such that its light-transmitting member 40B extends in an elongated shape in the front-to-back direction of the luminaire.

[0053] The light-emitting portion 46B of the light-transmitting member 40B has a convex lens-shaped surface with an axis Ax1 extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp as the optical axis.

[0054] The light-incident portion 42B of the light-transmitting member 40B is composed of a single convex curved surface and is designed to direct the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30B downwards into the lamp as parallel light (more precisely, to direct the light emitted from the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 30B downwards into the lamp as parallel light). To achieve this, the light-incident portion 42B has a substantially hyperbolic surface shape with an axis Ax2 extending in the vertical direction of the lamp through the light-emitting center of the light-emitting element 30B as its central axis. In this case, the light-incident portion 42B is formed such that its axis Ax2 is perpendicular to axis Ax1.

[0055] The light-reflecting portion 44B of the light-transmitting member 40B has a substantially parabolic surface shape, which causes the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30B, incident from the light-incident portion 42B, to be totally reflected as focused light toward the rear focal plane of the light-emitting portion 46B (i.e., the focal plane including the rear focal point F of the light-emitting portion 46B). In this case, the light-reflecting portion 44B is formed such that the degree of convergence of the reflected light is greater in the vertical direction of the lamp than in the left-right direction of the lamp. To achieve this, the light-reflecting portion 44B has a surface shape in which the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the vertical plane containing the axis Ax2 is set to a larger value than the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the horizontal plane. Furthermore, the light-reflecting portion 44B has a surface shape in which the degree of convergence of the reflected light is greater in the upper region 44B1 than in the lower region 44B2. That is, the upper region 44B1 is formed with a larger curvature than the lower region 44B2.

[0056] Furthermore, similar to the light-transmitting member 40A, the light-reflecting member 40B has a light-reflecting portion 44B positioned directly below its light-incident portion 42B, and a light-emitting portion 46B positioned away from the light-reflecting portion 44B in front of the lamp. A connecting portion 48B is positioned between the light-reflecting portion 44B and the light-emitting portion 46B.

[0057] The front end surface 48Bf of the connecting portion 48B is a vertical surface surrounded by a square that circumscribes the circular shape that constitutes the outer edge of the light emitting portion 46B.

[0058] The left and right pair of side surfaces 48Bc of the connecting portion 48B are composed of vertical planes extending from the side edge of the front end surface 48Bf toward the rear of the luminaire, and the rear end region extends to the positions on both sides of the light reflecting portion 44B.

[0059] The upper surface 48Ba of the connecting portion 48B has a downward-bent portion 48BaL that extends horizontally in the left-right direction of the luminaire along the rear focal plane of the light-emitting portion 46B (i.e., the focal plane including the rear focal point F of the light-emitting portion 46B). This downward-bent portion 48BaL is formed to pass through a position slightly above the rear focal point F of the light-emitting portion 46B.

[0060] On the upper surface 48Ba of the connecting portion 48B, the region located in front of the luminaire beyond the downward bent portion 48BaL is formed as an inclined surface 48Ba1 extending diagonally upward from the downward bent portion 48BaL toward the upper edge of the front end surface 48Bf, and the region located behind the luminaire beyond the downward bent portion 48BaL is formed as a downward reflective surface 48Ba2 extending diagonally upward from the downward bent portion 48BaL toward the lower edge of the light incident portion 42B. The rear end region 48Ba3 on the upper surface 48Ba of the connecting portion 48B is formed to extend along a horizontal plane between the lower edge of the light incident portion 42B and the upper edge of the light reflective portion 44B.

[0061] The lower surface 48Bb of the connecting portion 48B is a flat surface formed to extend slightly upward from the lower edge of the front end surface 48Bf toward the rear of the luminaire, and is connected at its rear edge to the lower edge of the light reflecting portion 44B.

[0062] In the light-transmitting member 40B, the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting portion 44B is totally reflected directly or by the downward-facing reflective surface 48Ba2 before reaching the light-emitting portion 46A, from which it is emitted toward the front of the lamp.

[0063] Figure 8 is a transparent view showing the low-beam light distribution pattern PL formed on a virtual vertical screen located 25 m in front of the vehicle by the light emitted from the vehicle lamp 10. This low-beam light distribution pattern PL is formed by the light emitted from the first lamp unit 20A.

[0064] As shown in Figure 8, the low beam light distribution pattern PL is a left-facing low beam light distribution pattern, and has staggered cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 at its upper edge. These cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 extend horizontally at staggered levels on the left and right, separated by a V-V line that passes vertically through the vanishing point H-V in the direction of the front of the lamp. The portion to the right of the V-V line is formed as the oncoming lane side cutoff line CL1, and the portion to the left of the V-V line is formed as the in-lane side cutoff line CL2, which rises from the oncoming lane side cutoff line CL1 via an inclined section.

[0065] In the low beam light distribution pattern PL, the elbow point E, which is the intersection point of the oncoming lane cutoff line CL1 and the V-V line, is located approximately 0.5 to 0.6° below the H-V line. This is because the upward bent portion 48AbL of the light-transmitting member 40A is formed to pass slightly above the rear focal point F of the light-emitting portion 46A.

[0066] In the low beam light distribution pattern PL, a high-luminosity region HZL is formed that extends along the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2, surrounding the elbow point E slightly to the left.

[0067] This high-luminosity region HZL is formed when light totally reflected in the right-side region 48Ab2b, where the inclination angle is small, on the upward-facing reflective surface 48Ab2 of the light-transmitting member 40A, is emitted as light toward the upper end region of the in-lane side region of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0068] On the other hand, in the low beam light distribution pattern PL, the region located to the right of the high-luminosity region HZL and near the lower part of the oncoming lane cutoff line CL1 (the region shown by the dashed-dot line in the figure) is formed as a low-luminosity region D, which has a lower brightness than the surrounding region.

[0069] The low-luminosity region D is formed because, on the upward-facing reflective surface 48Ab2 of the light-transmitting member 40A, the light totally reflected in the left-side region 48Ab2a, which has a large inclination angle, is emitted downward from the light-emitting section 46A at a large angle. As a result, this light does not become light directed towards the opposing lane side region of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0070] By forming this type of low-beam light distribution pattern PL, even when the vehicle is pitching, it is possible to improve the forward visibility of the own driver without causing excessive glare to oncoming drivers.

[0071] Figure 9 shows the high beam light distribution pattern PH formed on the virtual vertical screen by the light emitted from the vehicle lighting fixture 10.

[0072] As shown in Figure 9, the high-beam light distribution pattern PH is formed as a light distribution pattern in which an additional light distribution pattern PA, formed by the light emitted from the second lamp unit 20B, is added to the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, and the region centered on H-V is formed as a high-luminosity region HZH.

[0073] The additional light distribution pattern PA is formed as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern above the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and its lower edge region is formed to extend horizontally while overlapping with the cutoff line region of the low beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0074] As shown in Figure 10(a), the additional light distribution pattern PA has a region centered on H-V that is formed as a high-luminosity region HZA. This additional light distribution pattern PA is formed as a composite light distribution pattern of the focusing light distribution pattern PA1 shown in Figure 10(b) and the diffusing light distribution pattern PA2 shown in Figure 10(c).

[0075] The light-gathering pattern PA1 shown in Figure 10(b) is a light-gathering pattern formed by reflected light from the upper region 44B1 of the light-reflecting portion 44B of the light-transmitting member 40B. In this case, the upper region 44B1 is formed to have a high degree of convergence of reflected light, so the light-gathering pattern PA1 is formed as a bright, small, horizontally elongated rectangular light-gathering pattern centered on H-V. This light-gathering pattern PA1 then constitutes the high-luminosity region HZA of the additional light-gathering pattern PA.

[0076] The diffuse light distribution pattern PA2 shown in 10(c) is a light distribution pattern formed by reflected light from the lower region 44B2 of the light-reflecting portion 44B of the light-transmitting member 40B. This diffuse light distribution pattern PA2 is formed as a light distribution pattern that spreads widely to both the left and right sides with H-V as the center.

[0077] In the high beam light distribution pattern PH shown in Figure 9, the high-luminosity region HZH is mainly composed of the focusing light distribution pattern PA1 of the additional light distribution pattern PA.

[0078] Next, the effects and advantages of this embodiment will be described.

[0079] The first lamp unit 20A of the vehicle lamp 10 according to this embodiment is configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern PL (lamp light distribution pattern) by irradiating the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30A toward the front of the lamp through the light-transmitting member 40A. The light-emitting element 30A is positioned with its light-emitting surface 30Aa facing downwards to the lamp (in a required direction intersecting the front-to-back direction of the lamp). The light-transmitting member 40A has a light-incident portion 42A that receives the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30A, and a light-reflecting portion 44A that totally reflects the light incident from the light-incident portion 42A. The light fixture includes a light emitting section 46A that emits light totally reflected by the light reflecting section 44A toward the front of the lamp, the light emitting section 46A having a convex lens-shaped surface, the light incident section 42A is configured to direct the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30A toward the lower part of the lamp as parallel light, and the light reflecting section 44A is configured to totally reflect the light incident from the light incident section 42A toward the rear focal plane of the light emitting section 46A as focused light, so that the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30A can be efficiently utilized to form a low beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0080] Furthermore, the second lamp unit 20B of the vehicle lamp 10 according to this embodiment is configured to form an additional light distribution pattern PA (lamp light distribution pattern) by irradiating the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30B toward the front of the lamp through the light-transmitting member 40B. The light-emitting element 30B is positioned with its light-emitting surface 30Ba facing downwards to the lamp (in a required direction intersecting the front-rear direction of the lamp), and the light-transmitting member 40B has a light-incident portion 42B into which the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30B is incident, and a light-reflecting portion 44B that totally reflects the light incident from the light-incident portion 42B, The light-emitting section 46B is provided to emit light totally reflected by the light-reflecting section 44B toward the front of the lamp. The light-emitting section 46B has a convex lens-shaped surface, the light-incident section 42B is configured to direct the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30B toward the lower part of the lamp as parallel light, and the light-reflecting section 44B is configured to totally reflect the light incident from the light-incident section 42B toward the rear focal plane of the light-emitting section 46B as focused light. Thus, the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30B can be efficiently utilized to form an additional light distribution pattern PA.

[0081] Furthermore, since the light-incident portions 42A and 42B of the light-transmitting members 40A and 40B are composed of a single convex curved surface, their shape can be simplified. In addition, since the light-emitting elements 30A and 30B have a light distribution characteristic in which the directional half-width angle of light emitted from their light-emitting surfaces 30Aa and 30Ba is set to a value of 90° or less, even though the light-incident portions 42A and 42B of the light-transmitting members 40A and 40B are composed of a single convex curved surface, most of the light emitted from the light-emitting elements 30A and 30B can be incident from the light-incident portions 42A and 42B as parallel light directed downwards towards the lamp. Therefore, the desired light transmission control can be achieved by efficiently utilizing the light emitted from the light-emitting elements 30A and 30B. Moreover, by employing such light-transmitting members 40A and 40B, the light-emitting elements 30A and 30B can be positioned without being in close proximity to the light-transmitting members, thereby preventing thermal deformation of the light-transmitting members 40A and 40B that would prevent the desired light transmission control from being achieved.

[0082] As described above, in this embodiment, in a vehicle lamp 10 configured to form a low beam light distribution pattern PL and an additional light distribution pattern PA by irradiating the light emitted from the light-emitting elements 30A and 30B toward the front of the lamp through the light-transmitting members 40A and 40B, the shape of the light-transmitting members 40A and 40B can be simplified, and the light emitted from the light-emitting elements 30A and 30B can be efficiently utilized to perform the desired light transmission control.

[0083] Furthermore, since the light-reflecting portions 44A and 44B of the light-transmitting members 40A and 40B have a surface shape in which the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the vertical plane containing the axis Ax2 (a first plane including the front-to-back direction and the up-and-down direction of the lamp) is set to a value greater than the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the horizontal plane (a second plane including the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction of the lamp), it becomes easy to form the low-beam light distribution pattern PL and the additional light distribution pattern PA as horizontally elongated light distribution patterns.

[0084] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as the first luminaire unit 20A for forming the low beam light distribution pattern PL, the light-transmitting member 40A has an upward bent portion 48AbL extending in the left-right direction of the luminaire along the rear focal plane of the light-emitting portion 46A, and an upward reflective surface 48Aa2 extending diagonally downward toward the rear of the luminaire from this upward bent portion 48AbL. As a result, a portion of the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting portion 44A is totally reflected by the upward reflective surface 48Aa2, thereby increasing the brightness of the area near the bottom of the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2.

[0085] Furthermore, since the upward reflective surface 48Aa2 of the light-transmitting member 40A is formed with a larger inclination angle in the left region 48Ab2a (one region in the left-right direction of the lamp) than in the right region 48Ab2b (the other region in the left-right direction of the lamp), the light totally reflected in the left region 48Ab2a forms the area near the bottom of the cutoff line CL1 on the opposing lane side, and the light totally reflected in the right region 48Ab2b forms the area near the bottom of the cutoff line CL2 on the own lane side.

[0086] In this case, most of the light totally reflected in the right-side region 48Ab2b, where the inclination angle is small, is emitted from the light-transmitting member 40A as light directed toward the on-lane side region of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL. However, most of the light totally reflected in the left-side region 48Ab2a, where the inclination angle is large, does not become light directed toward the on-lane side region of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL, even if it is emitted from the light-transmitting member 40A.

[0087] Therefore, the low beam light distribution pattern PL can be formed by making the area below the cutoff line CL2 on the own lane side sufficiently bright, while reducing the brightness in the area below the cutoff line CL1 on the opposing lane side. As a result, even when the vehicle is pitching, the forward visibility of the own vehicle driver can be improved without causing significant glare to oncoming drivers.

[0088] Furthermore, in this embodiment, as the second luminaire unit 20B for forming the additional light distribution pattern PA, the light-transmitting member 40B has a configuration in which the upper surface 48Ba of the connecting portion 48B that connects the light-reflecting portion 44B and the light-emitting portion 46B has a downward-bent portion 48BaL that extends in the left-right direction of the luminaire along the rear focal plane of the light-emitting portion 46B, and a downward-bent reflective surface 48Ba2 that extends diagonally upward toward the rear of the luminaire from this downward-bent portion 48BaL, so that the following effects can be obtained.

[0089] In other words, the light totally reflected by the light reflecting portion 44B of the light-transmitting member 40B can be directly reflected or totally reflected downward by the downward reflecting surface 48Ba2 before reaching the light emitting portion 48Ba2, thereby forming the additional light distribution pattern PA as a light distribution pattern with a brighter lower region.

[0090] Furthermore, the light-reflecting portion 44B of the light-transmitting member 40B has a surface shape set such that the upper region 44B1 has a greater degree of convergence of reflected light than the lower region 44B2. Therefore, the reflected light from this upper region 44B1 can form the high-luminosity region HZA of the additional light distribution pattern PA, thereby making the high-luminosity region HZH of the high-beam light distribution pattern PH even brighter.

[0091] In the above embodiment, it was described that the light emitted from the first lamp unit 20A forms a low beam light distribution pattern PL with leftward light distribution. However, it is also possible to form a low beam light distribution pattern with rightward light distribution by reversing the shape of the light-transmitting member 40A left and right.

[0092] In the above embodiment, the vehicle lighting fixture 10 was described as being equipped with first and second lighting units 20A and 20B. However, it is also possible to have a configuration in which additional lighting units having the same configuration as the first lighting unit 20A or a configuration having the same configuration as the second lighting unit 20B are added.

[0093] Next, a modified example of the above embodiment will be described.

[0094] First, a first modified example of the above embodiment will be described.

[0095] Figure 11 is a diagram similar to Figure 5, showing the first lighting unit 120A of a vehicle lighting device according to this modified example.

[0096] As shown in Figure 11, the basic configuration of the first lighting unit 120A in this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the light-transmitting member 140A is slightly different from that of the above embodiment.

[0097] Specifically, the light-transmitting member 140A in this modified example has a different configuration of its light-reflecting portion 144A compared to the above embodiment.

[0098] In other words, the light-transmitting member 140A of this modified example also has a light-reflecting portion 144A with a substantially parabolic surface shape, and is configured to totally reflect the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30B that enters from the light-incident portion 42B as focused light toward the rear focal plane of the light-emitting portion 46B, and is formed so that the degree of convergence of the reflected light is greater in the vertical direction of the lamp than in the horizontal direction of the lamp.

[0099] However, in this modified example, the light-transmitting member 140A differs from the above embodiment in that the upper region 144A1 of its light-reflecting portion 144A is formed with a larger curvature than the lower region 144A2, resulting in a greater degree of convergence of reflected light. Specifically, the upper region 144A1 is formed with a larger curvature than the lower region 144A2, which is formed with a curvature similar to that of the above embodiment.

[0100] Furthermore, the light-transmitting member 140A in this modified example is the same as in the above embodiment in terms of its configuration other than the light incident portion 142B.

[0101] Even when this modified configuration is adopted, a low-beam light distribution pattern substantially the same as the low-beam light distribution pattern PL of the above embodiment is formed. However, since the light-gathering ability of the reflected light from the upper region 144A1 is improved, the brightness of the region near the lower part of the cutoff line can be increased, thereby forming a high-luminosity region that is even brighter than the high-luminosity region HZL of the low-beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0102] Next, a second modified example of the above embodiment will be described.

[0103] Figures 12 and 13 are similar to Figures 1 and 4, showing a vehicle lighting device 210 according to this modified example.

[0104] As shown in Figures 12 and 13, the basic configuration of this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the light-transmitting members 240A and 240B in the first and second lighting units 220A and 220B differs in part from that of the above embodiment.

[0105] Specifically, the light-transmitting members 240A and 240B in this modified example differ from those in the above embodiment in the configuration of their light-emitting portions 246A and 246B.

[0106] In other words, the light-emitting sections 246A and 246B of this modified example also have a convex lens-shaped surface with an axis Ax1 extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp as the optical axis. However, the surface shape is configured such that the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the horizontal plane (a second plane including the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the lamp) is greater than the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the vertical plane (a first plane including the front-rear direction and the up-down direction of the lamp) containing the axis Ax1. As a result, the left-right diffusion angle of the light emitted from the light-emitting sections 246A and 246B is configured to be larger than in the above embodiment.

[0107] In addition, the light-transmitting members 240A and 240B in this modified example are the same as those in the above embodiment, except for the configuration of the light-emitting sections 246A and 246B.

[0108] Even when this modified configuration is adopted, a low-beam light distribution pattern PL and an additional light distribution pattern PA similar to those of the above embodiment are formed. However, since the left-right diffusion angle of the light emitted from the light emission units 246A and 246B is larger than in the above embodiment, it becomes even easier to form the low-beam light distribution pattern and the additional light distribution pattern as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern.

[0109] Next, a third modified example of the above embodiment will be described.

[0110] Figure 14 is a diagram similar to Figure 4(a), showing the first lighting unit 320A of the vehicle lighting device according to this modified example. Figure 15 is a diagram similar to Figure 4(b), showing the second lighting unit 320B of the vehicle lighting device according to this modified example.

[0111] The basic configuration of this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but it differs in that the first and second lighting units 320A and 320B are equipped with a pair of left and right light-emitting elements 30A and 30B, and their light-transmitting members 340A and 340B are equipped with a pair of left and right light-incident parts 342A and 342B.

[0112] First, let me explain the configuration of the first lighting unit 320A.

[0113] As shown in Figure 14, the first luminaire unit 320A is configured to direct the light emitted from a pair of left and right light-emitting elements 30A toward the front of the luminaire via a light-transmitting member 340A.

[0114] The pair of light-emitting elements 30A are positioned with their light-emitting surfaces 30Aa facing downwards.

[0115] The light-transmitting member 340A has a configuration comprising a pair of left and right light-injecting sections 342A that receive light emitted from a pair of left and right light-emitting elements 30A, a light-reflecting section 344A that totally reflects the light incident from these light-injecting sections 342A, and a light-emitting section 346A that emits the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting section 344A towards the front of the lamp, with a connecting section 348A positioned between the light-reflecting section 344A and the light-emitting section 346A.

[0116] The light-emitting section 346A is formed to be slightly larger than the light-emitting section 46A in the above embodiment.

[0117] The light-reflecting portion 344A is formed with a wider width than the light-reflecting portion 44A in the above embodiment. The curvature of the light-reflecting portion 344A along its horizontal plane is set so that the light emitted from the pair of left and right light-emitting elements 30A, which are incident from the pair of left and right light-indicating portions 342A, reaches the light-emitting portion 346A.

[0118] The connecting portion 348A is formed so that its width widens from left to right from the light emitting portion 346A toward the light reflecting portion 344A. On the lower surface 348Ab of this connecting portion 348Ab, similar to the connecting portion 48A in the above embodiment, an upward reflecting surface 348Ab2 is formed that extends diagonally downward from the upward bent portion 348AbL toward the lower edge of the light reflecting portion 344A, and this upward reflecting surface 348Ab2 is formed with a larger inclination angle in the left region 348Ab2a than in the right region 348Ab2b.

[0119] In this first luminaire unit 320A, the light emitted from the pair of left and right light-emitting elements 30A is directed forward of the luminaire via the light-transmitting member 340A, thereby doubling the brightness of the low-beam light distribution pattern.

[0120] Next, the configuration of the second lighting unit 320B will be described.

[0121] As shown in Figure 15, the second luminaire unit 320B is configured to direct the light emitted from the left and right pair of light-emitting elements 30B toward the front of the luminaire via the light-transmitting member 340B.

[0122] The pair of light-emitting elements 30B, one on the left and one on the right, are positioned with their light-emitting surfaces 30Ba facing downwards.

[0123] The light-transmitting member 340B has a configuration comprising a pair of left and right light-injecting sections 342B that receive light emitted from a pair of left and right light-emitting elements 30B, a light-reflecting section 344B that totally reflects the light incident from these light-injecting sections 342B, and a light-emitting section 346B that emits the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting section 344B towards the front of the lamp, with a connecting section 348B positioned between the light-reflecting section 344B and the light-emitting section 346B.

[0124] The light-emitting section 346B is formed to be slightly larger than the light-emitting section 46B in the above embodiment.

[0125] The light-reflecting portion 344B is formed with a wider left-right width than the light-reflecting portion 44B in the above embodiment. The curvature of the light-reflecting portion 344B along its horizontal plane is set so that the light emitted from the pair of left and right light-emitting elements 30B, which are incident from the pair of left and right light-indicating portions 342B, reaches the light-emitting portion 346B.

[0126] The connecting portion 348B is formed so that its width widens from left to right from the light emitting portion 346B toward the light reflecting portion 344B. On the upper surface 348Ba of this connecting portion 348B, a downward reflecting surface 348Ba2 is formed, which extends diagonally upward from the downward bent portion 348BaL toward the lower edge of the light incident portion 342B, similar to the connecting portion 48B in the above embodiment.

[0127] In this second lighting unit 320B, the light emitted from the pair of left and right light-emitting elements 30B is directed toward the front of the lighting unit via the light-transmitting member 340B, thereby doubling the brightness of the additional light distribution pattern.

[0128] By adopting the configuration of this modified example, the same effects and advantages as in the above embodiment can be obtained.

[0129] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, the low beam light distribution pattern can be formed as a bright light distribution pattern with a large left-right diffusion angle, in which two light distribution patterns are superimposed. Additionally, the additional light distribution pattern can also be formed as a bright light distribution pattern with a large left-right diffusion angle, in which case the high beam light distribution pattern can also be formed as a bright light distribution pattern with a large left-right diffusion angle.

[0130] Next, a fourth modified example of the above embodiment will be described.

[0131] Figure 16(a) is a diagram similar to Figure 2(a), showing the first lamp unit 420A of the vehicle lamp according to this modified example. Figure 16(b) is a diagram similar to Figure 3, showing the second lamp unit 420B of the vehicle lamp according to this modified example.

[0132] As shown in Figure 16, the basic configuration of this modified example is the same as that of the above embodiment, but the arrangement of the light-emitting elements 30A and 30B in the first and second lighting units 420A and 420B is different from that of the above embodiment, and the configuration of the light-transmitting members 440A and 440B is also partially different from that of the above embodiment.

[0133] Specifically, in the first and second lighting units 420A and 420B of this modified example, the light-emitting elements 30A and 30B are mounted on a common substrate 32 with their light-emitting surfaces 30Aa and 30Ba facing upwards.

[0134] In this modified example, the light-transmitting members 440A and 440B have the same shapes as in the above embodiment, but their light-incident portions 442A and 442B have a surface shape that is the same as the light-incident portions 42A and 42B of the above embodiment but inverted vertically, and their light-reflecting portions 444A and 444B have a surface shape that is close to the same as the light-reflecting portions 44A and 44B of the above embodiment but inverted vertically.

[0135] Even when this modified configuration is adopted, by irradiating the light emitted from the light-emitting elements 30A and 30B of the first and second luminaire units 420A and 420B toward the front of the luminaire through their light-transmitting members 440A and 440B, a low-beam light distribution pattern and an additional light distribution pattern substantially the same as in the above embodiment can be formed.

[0136] Next, a fifth modified example of the above embodiment will be described.

[0137] Figures 17 and 18 are similar to those in Figures 4(a) and 2(b), showing the first lighting unit 520A of the vehicle lighting equipment according to this modified example.

[0138] As shown in Figures 17 and 18, the first luminaire unit 520A of this modified example has the same basic configuration as the first luminaire unit 20A of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the light-transmitting member 540A differs in part from that of the above embodiment.

[0139] In other words, the light-transmitting member 540A in this modified example has a different configuration of its light-reflecting portion 544A and light-emitting portion 546A compared to the above embodiment, and consequently, the configuration of the connecting portion 548A is also partially different from that of the above embodiment.

[0140] Specifically, in the light-transmitting member 540A of this modified example, the light-emitting portion 546A has a convex lens-shaped surface, but it does not have a spherical lens-shaped surface like the light-emitting portion 46A of the above embodiment, but rather a convex cylindrical lens-shaped surface that extends long in the left-right direction of the lamp. That is, the cross-sectional shape of this light-emitting portion 546A along the vertical plane containing axes Ax1 and Ax2 (i.e., the vertical plane extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp) is set to be the same as that of the light-emitting portion 46A of the above embodiment, and it is formed to extend broadly in the left-right direction of the lamp with this cross-sectional shape.

[0141] The connection portion 548A of the light-transmitting member 540A has a pair of left and right side surfaces 548Ac which are vertical planes extending in the front-rear direction of the luminaire. In this case, the left-right width of this connection portion 548A is set to the same value as the left-right width of the connection portion 48A of the above embodiment in the rear region 548A2, and in the other general region 548A1, it is set to the same value as the left-right width of the light-emitting portion 546A.

[0142] The upper surface 548Aa of the connecting portion 548A is composed of a plane that extends slightly downward from the upper edge of the light emitting portion 546A toward the rear of the luminaire, and the rear end region 548Aa1 is formed to extend along a horizontal plane between the lower edge of the light incident portion 42A and the upper edge of the light reflecting portion 544A.

[0143] On the lower surface 548Ab of the connecting portion 548A, an upward-bent portion 548AbL is formed, which extends horizontally in the left-right direction of the luminaire and passes through the rear focal point F of the light-emitting portion 546A (more precisely, the rear focal point in the vertical plane extending in the front-rear direction of the luminaire), and is positioned slightly above the rear focal point F.

[0144] On the lower surface 548Ab of the connecting portion 548A, the region located in front of the luminaire beyond the upward bent portion 548AbL is formed as an inclined surface 548Ab1 extending diagonally downward toward the lower edge of the light emitting portion 546A, and the region located behind the luminaire beyond the upward bent portion 548AbL is formed as an upward reflective surface 548Ab2 extending diagonally downward toward the lower edge of the light reflective portion 544A from the upward bent portion 548AbL.

[0145] The light-reflecting portion 544A of the light-transmitting member 540A has a concave curved surface shape in which the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the horizontal plane is set to be greater than the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the vertical plane extending in the front-to-back direction of the lamp. This configuration causes the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30A, which is incident from the light-incident portion 42A, to be totally reflected as light that converges more strongly in the left-to-right direction of the lamp than in the up-to-down direction of the lamp. In this case, the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the horizontal plane of the light-reflecting portion 544A is set so that the light arriving from the light-incident portion 42A is totally reflected in a direction that intersects with the rear focal point F behind the lamp in the left-to-right direction of the lamp.

[0146] In the light-transmitting member 540A, the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting portion 544A is totally reflected directly or by the upward-facing reflective surface 548Ab2 before reaching the light-emitting portion 546A, from which it is emitted toward the front of the lamp. At that time, the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting portion 544A intersects with the rear focal point F behind the lamp in the horizontal direction, and then reaches the emission portion 546A as light that is greatly diffused in the left-right direction of the lamp.

[0147] The light-transmitting member 540A has a set left-right width value for the general area 548A1 of the light-emitting section 546A and the connecting section 548A, so that all the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting section 544A can be emitted from the emission section 546A toward the front of the lamp.

[0148] In this modified example, the first lamp unit 520A is configured to light up together with the first lamp unit 20A of the above embodiment when low beam illumination occurs.

[0149] Figure 21(a) shows the light distribution pattern PB formed on the virtual vertical screen by the light emitted from the first luminaire unit 520A of this modified example. In Figure 21(a), the low beam light distribution pattern PL (see Figure 8) formed by the light emitted from the first luminaire unit 20A of the above embodiment is shown by a dashed line.

[0150] As shown in Figure 21(a), the light distribution pattern PB is formed as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern that spreads widely in the left-right direction around the V-V line below the H-H line. In this case, the left-right diffusion angle of this light distribution pattern PB is set to a value larger than that of the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and its upper edge is formed to extend horizontally at approximately the same height as the opposing lane side cutoff line CL1 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0151] The reason why the light distribution pattern PB is formed with a wider left-right diffusion angle than the low-beam light distribution pattern PL is, as shown in Figure 17, that in the light-transmitting member 540A, the light that is totally reflected from the light-reflecting part 544A so as to converge greatly in the left-right direction of the luminaire reaches the light-emitting part 546A as light that is greatly diffused in the left-right direction of the luminaire, and then is emitted from this light-emitting part 546A toward the front of the luminaire as light that is further greatly diffused in the left-right direction of the luminaire. At that time, this light distribution pattern PB is formed by the light emitted toward the front of the luminaire without being refractioned very much at the light-emitting part 546A of the light-transmitting member 540A, so that the light distribution pattern maintains a nearly uniform brightness to both the left and right ends.

[0152] Furthermore, the reason why the upper edge of the light distribution pattern PB is formed to extend horizontally at approximately the same height as the cutoff line CL1 on the opposing lane side is that the upward bent portion 548AbL formed on the lower surface 548Ab of the connecting portion 548A is located slightly above the rear focal point F of the light emitting portion 546A.

[0153] In this modified example, the low beam light distribution pattern PL-5 is formed by superimposing this light distribution pattern PB onto the low beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0154] By adopting the configuration of this modified example, the light distribution pattern PB can be formed as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern in which substantially uniform brightness is maintained even to the left and right ends. Therefore, when this light distribution pattern PB is superimposed on the low beam light distribution pattern PL, the low beam light distribution pattern PL-5 can be formed as a light distribution pattern that is bright overall and maintains substantially uniform brightness even to the left and right ends. As a result, the low beam light distribution pattern PL-5 can be formed as a light distribution pattern with excellent visibility of the road ahead of the vehicle.

[0155] In the fifth modified example described above, the light-emitting portion 546A of the light-transmitting member 540A was described as having a surface shape where the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the second plane, which includes the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction of the lamp, is greater than the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the first plane, which includes the front-to-back direction and the up-to-down direction of the lamp. However, it is also possible to have a surface shape other than this (for example, a horizontally elongated elliptical surface shape).

[0156] Next, a sixth modified example of the above embodiment will be described.

[0157] Figures 19 and 20 are similar to those in Figures 4(b) and 3, showing the second lighting unit 620B of the vehicle lighting equipment according to this modified example.

[0158] As shown in Figures 19 and 20, the second lighting unit 620B of this modified example has the same basic configuration as the second lighting unit 20B of the above embodiment, but the configuration of the light-transmitting member 640B differs in part from that of the above embodiment.

[0159] In other words, the light-transmitting member 640B of this modified example has a different configuration of its light-reflecting portion 644B and light-emitting portion 646B compared to the above embodiment, and consequently, the configuration of the connecting portion 648B is also partially different from that of the above embodiment.

[0160] Specifically, in the light-transmitting member 640B of this modified example, the light-emitting portion 646B also has a convex lens-shaped surface, but it does not have a spherical lens-shaped surface like the light-emitting portion 46B of the above embodiment, but rather a convex cylindrical lens-shaped surface that extends in the left-right direction of the lamp. That is, the cross-sectional shape of this light-emitting portion 646B along the vertical plane containing axes Ax1 and Ax2 (i.e., the vertical plane extending in the front-rear direction of the lamp) is set to be the same as that of the light-emitting portion 46B of the above embodiment, and it is formed to extend widely in the left-right direction of the lamp with this cross-sectional shape. In this case, the left-right width of this light-emitting portion 646B is set to an even larger value than that of the light-emitting portion 546B of the fifth modified example.

[0161] The connection portion 648B of the light-transmitting member 640B has a pair of left and right side surfaces 648Bc which are vertical planes extending in the front-rear direction of the luminaire. In this case, the left-right width of this connection portion 648B is set to the same value as the left-right width of the connection portion 48B of the above embodiment in the rear region 648B2, and in the other general region 648B1 it is set to the same value as the left-right width of the light-emitting portion 646B. The pair of left and right side surfaces 648Bc are formed so that the front end of the rear region 648B2 extends to both the left and right sides toward the front of the luminaire.

[0162] On the upper surface 648Ba of the connecting portion 648B, a downward-bent portion 648BaL is formed that extends horizontally in the left-right direction of the luminaire, passing through the rear focal point F of the light-emitting portion 646B (more precisely, the rear focal point in the vertical plane extending in the front-to-back direction of the luminaire). This downward-bent portion 648BaL is formed to pass slightly above the rear focal point F of the light-emitting portion 646B.

[0163] On the upper surface 648Ba of the connecting portion 648B, the region located in front of the luminaire beyond the downward bent portion 648BaL is formed as an inclined surface 648Ba1 extending diagonally upward from the downward bent portion 648BaL toward the upper edge of the light emitting portion 646B, and the region located behind the luminaire beyond the downward bent portion 648BaL is formed as a downward reflecting surface 648Ba2 extending diagonally upward from the downward bent portion 648BaL toward the lower edge of the light incident portion 42B. The rear end region 648Ba3 on the upper surface 648Ba of the connecting portion 648B is formed to extend along a horizontal plane between the lower edge of the light incident portion 42B and the upper edge of the light reflecting portion 644B.

[0164] The lower surface 648Bb of the connecting portion 648B is a flat surface formed to extend slightly upward from the lower edge of the light emitting portion 646B toward the rear of the luminaire, and is connected at its rear edge to the lower edge of the light reflecting portion 644B.

[0165] The light-reflecting portion 644B of the light-transmitting member 640B is configured to totally reflect the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30B, which is incident from the light-incident portion 42B, as converged light in the vertical direction of the lamp, but to totally reflect it as diffused light in the horizontal direction of the lamp. To achieve this, the cross-sectional shape of the light-reflecting portion 644B is set to be a concave curve along a vertical plane extending in the front-to-back direction of the lamp, and the cross-sectional shape is set to be a convex curve along a vertical plane extending in the front-to-back direction of the lamp.

[0166] In the light-transmitting member 640B, the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting portion 644B is totally reflected directly or by the downward-facing reflective surface 648Ba2 before reaching the light-emitting portion 646B, from which it is emitted toward the front of the lamp. At that time, the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting portion 544A reaches the light-emitting portion 646B as light that is greatly diffused in the left-right direction of the lamp.

[0167] The light-transmitting member 640B has a set left-right width value for the general area 648B1 of the light-emitting section 646B and connecting section 648B, which is even larger than that in the fifth modified example described above, so that all the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting section 644B can be emitted from the emission section 646B toward the front of the lamp.

[0168] In this modified example, the second lamp unit 620B is configured to light up together with the first lamp unit 20B of the above embodiment when the low beam is irradiated.

[0169] Figure 21(b) shows the light distribution pattern PC formed on the virtual vertical screen by the light emitted from the second luminaire unit 620B of this modified example. In Figure 21(b), the additional light distribution pattern PA (see Figure 10(a)) formed by the light emitted from the second luminaire unit 20B of the above embodiment is shown by a dashed line.

[0170] As shown in Figure 21(b), the light distribution pattern PC is formed as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern that spreads widely to the left and right around the V-V line, straddling the H-H line vertically. In this case, the left-right diffusion angle of this light distribution pattern PC is set to a value larger than that of the additional light distribution pattern PA, and its lower edge is formed to extend horizontally at approximately the same height as the lower edge of the additional light distribution pattern PA.

[0171] The reason why the light distribution pattern PC is formed with a wider left-right diffusion angle than the additional light distribution pattern PA is, as shown in Figure 19, that in the light-transmitting member 640B, the light totally reflected as diffused light in the left-right direction of the luminaire reaches the light-emitting part 646B, and then is emitted from this light-emitting part 646B towards the front of the luminaire as light that is further diffused in the left-right direction of the luminaire. At that time, this light distribution pattern PC is formed by the light emitted towards the front of the luminaire without being refractioned very much at the light-emitting part 646B of the light-transmitting member 640B, so that the light distribution pattern maintains a nearly uniform brightness even in the left and right end regions.

[0172] Furthermore, the lower edge of the light distribution pattern PC is formed to extend horizontally at approximately the same height as the lower edge of the additional light distribution pattern PA because the downward bent portion 648BaL formed on the upper surface 648Bb of the connecting portion 648B is formed to pass through a position slightly above the rear focal point F of the light emitting portion 646B.

[0173] In this modified example, the additional light distribution pattern PA-6 is formed by superimposing the light distribution pattern PC onto the additional light distribution pattern PA.

[0174] By adopting the configuration of this modified example, the light distribution pattern PC can be formed as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern in which substantially uniform brightness is maintained even to the left and right ends. Therefore, when this light distribution pattern PC is superimposed on the additional light distribution pattern PA, the additional light distribution pattern PA-6 can be formed as a light distribution pattern that is bright overall and maintains substantially uniform brightness even to the left and right ends. Then, when this additional light distribution pattern PA-6 is added to the low beam light distribution pattern PL (or low beam light distribution pattern PL-5), the high beam light distribution pattern can be formed as a light distribution pattern with excellent visibility of the road ahead of the vehicle.

[0175] In the sixth modified example described above, the light-emitting portion 646B of the light-transmitting member 640B was described as having a surface shape where the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the second plane, which includes the front-to-back direction and the left-to-right direction of the lamp, is greater than the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the first plane, which includes the front-to-back direction and the up-to-down direction of the lamp. However, it is also possible to have a surface shape other than this (for example, a horizontally elongated elliptical surface shape).

[0176] Next, a seventh modified example of the above embodiment will be described.

[0177] Figure 22(a) is a diagram similar to Figure 4(a), showing the first lighting unit 720A of the vehicle lighting equipment according to this modified example.

[0178] As shown in Figure 22(a), the basic configuration of the first lighting unit 720A in this modified example is the same as in the fifth modified example described above, but the configuration of the light-transmitting member 740A is slightly different from that in the fifth modified example described above.

[0179] In other words, the light-transmitting member 740A in this modified example differs in some respects from the fifth modified example in the configuration of its light-emitting portion 746A and connecting portion 748A.

[0180] Specifically, in the light-transmitting member 740A of this modified example, the light-emitting portion 746A has a convex cylindrical lens-shaped surface that extends in the left-right direction of the lamp, similar to the light-emitting portion 546A of the fifth modified example. However, it is displaced further to the rear of the lamp than the light-emitting portion 546A of the fifth modified example, and its left-right width is set to a smaller value than in the case of the fifth modified example.

[0181] The connection portion 748A of the light-transmitting member 740A also has a pair of left and right sides 748Ac which are vertical planes extending in the front-rear direction of the luminaire. Its left-right width is set to the same value as the left-right width of the connection portion 548A of the fifth modified example in the rear region 748A2, and to the same value as the left-right width of the light-emitting portion 746A in the other general region 748A1.

[0182] The upper surface 748Aa of the connecting portion 748A has the same configuration as in the fifth modified example. The lower surface 748Ab of the connecting portion 748A also has the same configuration as in the fifth modified example, but the upward bent portion 748AbL, along with the inclined surface 748Ab1 and the upward reflective surface 748Ab2, is displaced further to the rear of the lamp than in the fifth modified example. In this case, the upward bent portion 748AbL and the inclined surface 748Ab1 are moved parallel to the rear of the lamp, and the inclination angle of the upward reflective surface 748Ab2 is larger than in the fifth modified example.

[0183] In the light-transmitting member 740A, the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting portion 544A is totally reflected directly or by the upward-facing reflective surface 748Ab2 before reaching the light-emitting portion 746A, from which it is emitted toward the front of the lamp. At that time, the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting portion 544A intersects with the rear focal point F behind the lamp in the horizontal direction, and then reaches the emission portion 746A as light that is greatly diffused in the left-right direction of the lamp.

[0184] In this modified example, the light-transmitting member 740A has a smaller left-right width in the general area 748A1 of the light-emitting portion 746A and the connecting portion 748A than in the fifth modified example. However, since the light-emitting portion 746A is displaced further to the rear of the lamp than in the fifth modified example, the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting portion 544A can be emitted from the emitting portion 746A toward the front of the lamp in substantially the same manner as in the fifth modified example.

[0185] Even when adopting the configuration of this modified example, substantially the same effects and advantages as in the fifth modified example described above can be obtained.

[0186] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, the light-transmitting member 740A can be made compact.

[0187] Next, an eighth modified example of the above embodiment will be described.

[0188] Figure 22(b) is a diagram similar to Figure 4(a), showing the first lighting unit 820A of the vehicle lighting equipment according to this modified example.

[0189] As shown in Figure 22(b), the basic configuration of the first lighting unit 820A in this modified example is the same as in the fifth modified example described above, but the configuration of the light-transmitting member 840A is slightly different from that in the fifth modified example described above.

[0190] In other words, the light-transmitting member 840A in this modified example differs in some respects from the fifth modified example in the configuration of its light-emitting portion 846A and connecting portion 848A.

[0191] Specifically, in the light-transmitting member 840A of this modified example, the light-emitting portion 846A has a convex cylindrical lens-shaped surface extending in the left-right direction of the lamp, similar to the light-emitting portion 546A of the fifth modified example described above, but its left-right width is set to a smaller value than in the case of the fifth modified example described above.

[0192] The connecting portion 848A of the light-transmitting member 840A, like the connecting portion 548A of the fifth modified example described above, has a pair of left and right side surfaces 848Ac that are vertical planes extending in the front-to-back direction of the lamp, but its left-to-right width is set to the same value as the light-reflecting portion 544A along its entire length. In other words, in the light-transmitting member 840A of this modified example, the left-to-right width of the connecting portion 848A is set to the same value as the left-to-right width of the connecting portion 48A of the above embodiment.

[0193] The upper surface 848Aa of the connecting portion 848A has the same configuration as in the fifth modified example described above. The lower surface 848Ab of the connecting portion 848A also has the same upward bent portion 848AbL, inclined surface 848Ab1, and upward reflective surface 848Ab2 as in the fifth modified example described above.

[0194] In the light-transmitting member 840A, the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting portion 544A is totally reflected directly or by the upward-facing reflective surface 848Ab2 before reaching the light-emitting portion 846A, from which it is emitted toward the front of the lamp. At that time, the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting portion 544A intersects with the rear focal point F behind the lamp in the horizontal direction, and then reaches the emission portion 846A as light that is greatly diffused in the left-right direction of the lamp.

[0195] In this modified example, the light-transmitting member 840A has the same left-right width as the left-right width of the light-reflecting portion 544A, so that the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting portion 544A and a portion of the light totally reflected thereafter by the upward-facing reflective surface 848Ab2 are totally reflected by the pair of left and right sides 848Ac of the connecting portion 848A before reaching the light-emitting portion 846A.

[0196] In this case, since the pair of left and right sides 848Ac are composed of vertical planes extending in the front-to-back direction of the luminaire, a portion of the light totally reflected by the light reflecting section 544A reaches the emission section 846A as light directed in a direction reversed left to right on the pair of left and right sides 848Ac, and is emitted from this emission section 846A toward the front of the luminaire.

[0197] In other words, a portion of the light totally reflected by the light reflecting section 544A has an optical path that is inverted left to right compared to the case of the fifth modified example, but the overall light emitted from the emission section 846A is substantially the same as in the case of the fifth modified example, and as a result, a light distribution pattern substantially the same as the light distribution pattern PB formed in the fifth modified example is formed.

[0198] Even when adopting the configuration of this modified example, substantially the same effects and advantages as in the fifth modified example described above can be obtained.

[0199] Furthermore, by adopting the configuration of this modified example, it is possible to maintain the left-right width of the light-transmitting member 840A at the same value as in the above embodiment, while forming a light distribution pattern substantially similar to the light distribution pattern PB.

[0200] It should be noted that the numerical values ​​shown as specifications in the above embodiments and their modified forms are merely examples, and these may be set to different values ​​as appropriate.

[0201] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the configurations described in the above embodiments and their modifications, and various other modified configurations can be adopted.

[0202] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-029598, filed on 26 February 2025, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-080044, filed on 12 May 2025, the entire contents of said Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-029598 and Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-080044 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0203] The above description of specific embodiments of the present invention is provided for illustrative purposes only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the forms described. Numerous modifications and changes are possible in light of the above description, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art.

[0204] 2. Lamps for oncoming vehicles 10 and 210. 12 Lamps for vehicles. ランプボディ14 Light-transmitting カバー20A, 120A, 220A, 320A, 420A The first light fixture is ユニット20B, 220B, 320B, 420B. The second light fixture is ユニット 30A, 30B. Substrate 40A, 40B, 140A, 240A, 240B, 340A, 340B, 440A, 440B Translucent materials 42A, 42B, 342A, 342B, 442A, 442B Light incident parts 44A, 44B, 144A, 344A, 344B, 444A, 444B; Light reflecting parts 44B1, 144A1; Upper region 44B2, 144A2; Lower region 46A, 46B, 246A, 246B, 346A, 346B, 446A, 446B; Light emitting parts 48A, 48B, 348A, 348B, 448A, 448B; Connecting parts 48Aa, 48Ba, 348Ba; Upper part 48Aa1, 48Ba3; Rear end region 48Ab, 48Bb, 348Ab; Lower part 48AbL, 348AbL; Upward bending part 48Ab1, 48Ba1; Inclined surface 48Ab2, 348Ab2 Upward reflecting surface 48Ab2a, 348Ab2a Left area (one area in the left and right direction of the lamp) 48Ab2b, 348Ab2b Right area (the other area in the left and right direction of the lamp) 48Ab2c Band area 48Ac, 48Bc Side 48Af, 48Bf Front end 48BaL, 348BaL Downward bending part 48Ba2, 348Ba2 Downward reflecting surface 520A, 720A, 820A No. 1 lamp ユニット 540A, 640B, 740A, 840A Translucent material 544A, 644B Light reflection part 546A, 646B, 746A, 846A Light emitting section 548A, 648B, 748A, 848A; Connecting section 548A1, 648B1, 748A1; General area 548A2, 648B2, 748A2; Rear area 548Aa, 648Ba, 748Aa, 848Aa; Top 548Aa1, 648Ba3; Rear end area 548Ab, 648Bb, 748Ab, 848Ab; Bottom 548AbL, 748AbL, 848AbL; Upward bending section 548Ab1, 648Ba1, 748Ab1, 848Ab1; Inclined surface 548Ab2, 748Ab2, 848Ab2; ​​Upward reflecting surface548Ac, 648Bc, 748Ac, 848Ac Side view 620B Second lamp unit 648BaL Downward bend 648Ba2 Downward reflecting surface Ax1, Ax2 Axis CL1 Cutoff line on the opposing lane side CL2 Cutoff line on the own lane side D Low light intensity region E Elbow point F Rear focal point HZA, HZH, HZL High light intensity region PA Additional light distribution pattern (lamp distribution pattern) PA1 Focusing light distribution pattern PA2 Diffusing light distribution pattern PA-6 Additional light distribution pattern PB, PC Light distribution pattern PH High beam light distribution pattern PL Low beam light distribution pattern (lamp distribution pattern) PL-5 Low beam light distribution pattern

Claims

1. In a vehicle lamp configured to form a lamp light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from a light-emitting element toward the front of the lamp through a light-transmitting member, the light-emitting element is positioned with its light-emitting surface facing a required direction intersecting the front-to-rear direction of the lamp, the light-transmitting member comprises a light-injecting section into which light emitted from the light-emitting element is incident, a light-reflecting section that totally reflects the light incident from the light-injecting section, and a light-emitting section that emits the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting section toward the front of the lamp, the light-emitting section has a convex lens-shaped surface, the light-injecting section is configured to incident light emitted from the light-emitting element as parallel light toward the required direction, the light-reflecting section is configured to totally reflect the light incident from the light-injecting section as focused light toward the rear focal plane of the light-emitting section, and the light-emitting element has a light distribution characteristic in which the directional half-angle of light emitted from the light-emitting surface is set to a value of 90° or less. A vehicle light fixture characterized in that the light incident portion is composed of a single convex curved surface.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the light-reflecting portion has a surface shape in which the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along a first plane including the front-rear direction and the up-down direction of the lamp is set to a value greater than the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along a second plane including the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the lamp.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 2, characterized in that the light emitting portion has a surface shape in which the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the second plane is set to a value greater than the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the first plane.

4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the above-mentioned light-emitting elements are arranged at multiple locations at intervals in the left-right direction of the lamp, and the above-mentioned light-transmitting member has a configuration in which the above-mentioned light-incident portion and the above-mentioned light-reflecting portion are formed at multiple locations at intervals in the left-right direction of the lamp.

5. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the light reflecting portion has a surface shape set such that the degree of convergence of reflected light is greater in the reflective region closer to the light incident portion than in other reflective regions.

6. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the above lamp light distribution pattern is configured to form an additional light distribution pattern that is added to the low beam light distribution pattern when the high beam is irradiated, and the required direction is set to a downward direction, and the upper surface of the light-transmitting member is formed with a downward bent portion that extends in the left-right direction of the lamp along the rear focal plane of the light-emitting portion, and a downward reflective surface that extends diagonally upward toward the rear of the lamp from the downward bent portion.

7. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that the light reflecting portion has a surface shape in which the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along a second plane including the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the lamp is set to a value greater than the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along a first plane including the front-rear direction and the up-down direction of the lamp, and the light emitting portion has a surface shape in which the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the second plane is set to a value less than the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along the first plane.

8. The light reflecting portion is configured to totally reflect light incident from the light incident portion as diffused light in the left-right direction of the lamp, and the light emitting portion has a surface shape in which the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along a second plane including the front-rear direction and the left-right direction of the lamp is set to a smaller value than the curvature of the cross-sectional shape along a first plane including the front-rear direction and the up-down direction of the lamp.

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