Vehicle lamp

Abstract

The present invention provides a vehicle lamp which is configured so that emitted light from a light-emitting element is emitted forward of the lamp via a translucent member, thereby forming a low beam light distribution pattern in which cutoff lines at the top edge thereof have different levels on the left and right, said vehicle lamp improving forward visibility for the host vehicle driver without causing glare to the driver of an oncoming vehicle. A translucent member 40A is configured such that light which has been emitted downward from a light-emitting element 30A, entered a light input part 42A, and been completely reflected by a light-reflective part 44A is emitted forward of the lamp from a light output part 46A. A lower surface 48Ab of the translucent member 40A is formed such that a left region 48Ab2a thereof has a greater angle of inclination than a right region 48Ab2b thereof. Thus, the low beam light distribution pattern for leftward light distribution is formed such that the region immediately below a cutoff line on the host vehicle lane side is sufficiently bright while brightness is suppressed in the region immediately below the cutoff line on the oncoming vehicle lane side.

Description

Vehicle lighting fixture

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle lighting fixture configured to form a light distribution pattern for the lighting fixture by irradiating light emitted from a light-emitting element toward the front of the lighting fixture via a translucent member.

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a vehicle lighting fixture configured to form a low-beam light distribution pattern having a cut-off line with stepped left and right portions at an upper edge as the lighting fixture light distribution pattern by irradiating light emitted from a light-emitting element toward the front of the lighting fixture via a translucent member.

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

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

[0005] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-189638

[0006] By forming a low-beam light distribution pattern using the translucent member as described in the above "Patent Document 1", it becomes possible to efficiently utilize the light emitted from the light-emitting element.

[0007] In addition, since the lower surface of the translucent member described in this "Patent Document 1" extends along a horizontal plane, part of the light totally reflected by the light reflecting portion on this lower surface is totally reflected upward, which makes it possible to increase the brightness of the region near the lower portion of the cut-off line as the low-beam light distribution pattern. However, if the region near the lower portion of the cut-off line in the oncoming lane side region becomes excessively bright, glare will be given to oncoming vehicle drivers and the like when the own vehicle pitches.

[0008] The present invention has been made in view of these circumstances, and aims to provide a vehicle lamp that can improve the forward visibility of the own driver without causing glare to oncoming drivers, etc., by irradiating the light emitted from a light-emitting element toward the front of the lamp through a light-transmitting member to form a low-beam light distribution pattern having staggered cutoff lines on the left and right sides at the upper edge of the lamp.

[0009] The present invention aims to achieve the above objective by modifying the structure of the light-transmitting member.

[0010] In other words, the vehicle lamp according to the present invention is configured to form a low-beam light distribution pattern having staggered cutoff lines on the left and right sides at the upper edge by irradiating the 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-indicating portion for receiving the light emitted from the light-emitting element, a light-reflecting portion for totally reflecting the light incident from the light-indicating portion, and a light-emitting portion for emitting the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting portion toward the front of the lamp, the light-emitting portion has a convex lens-shaped surface, the light-indicating portion is configured to receive the light emitted from the light-emitting element as parallel light toward the required direction, and the light-reflecting portion is configured to totally reflect the light incident from the light-indicating portion as converged light toward the rear focal plane of the light-emitting portion. The lower surface of the light-transmitting member is formed with an upward bent portion extending in the left-right direction of the lamp along the rear focal plane of the light-emitting portion to form the cutoff line, and an upward reflective surface extending diagonally downward from the upward bent portion toward the rear of the lamp, wherein one region of the upward reflective surface in the left-right direction of the lamp is formed at a larger inclination angle than the other region.

[0011] 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.

[0012] 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.

[0013] The vehicle lamp according to the present invention is configured to form a low-beam light distribution pattern having staggered cutoff lines on the left and right sides at the upper edge by irradiating light 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-indicating section that receives light emitted from the light-emitting element, a light-reflecting section that totally reflects the light incident from the light-indicating 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-indicating section is configured to receive 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-indicating 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 low-beam light distribution pattern.

[0014] Furthermore, the lower surface of the light-transmitting member has an upward-bent portion that extends in the left-right direction of the lamp along the rear focal plane of the light-emitting portion to form a cutoff line for the low-beam light distribution pattern, and an upward-bent reflective surface that extends diagonally downward toward the rear of the lamp from this upward-bent portion. By causing a portion of the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting portion to be totally reflected by the upward-bent reflective surface, it is possible to increase the brightness of the area near the bottom of the cutoff line.

[0015] In this configuration, since the upward-facing reflective surface is formed with a larger inclination angle in one region in the left-right direction of the lamp than in the other region, the light totally reflected in that one region forms the area near the bottom of the cutoff line in the opposing lane side region of the low beam light distribution pattern, and the light totally reflected in the other region forms the area near the bottom of the cutoff line in the in-lane side region of the low beam light distribution pattern. This configuration provides the following effects.

[0016] In other words, most of the light that undergoes total internal reflection in the other region with a small inclination angle is emitted from the light emitter as light directed towards the in-lane side region of the low beam light distribution pattern. However, most of the light that undergoes total internal reflection in the one region with a large inclination angle, even if emitted from the light emitter, becomes downward light at a large angle and does not become light directed towards the oncoming lane side region of the low beam light distribution pattern.

[0017] Therefore, a low beam light distribution pattern can be formed by making the area below the cutoff line in the area on the own lane sufficiently bright, while reducing the brightness in the area below the cutoff line in the area on the opposing lane. As a result, even when the vehicle is pitching, forward visibility for the own driver can be improved without causing significant glare to oncoming drivers.

[0018] As described above, in a vehicle lamp configured to form a low-beam light distribution pattern having staggered cutoff lines on the left and right sides at the upper edge by irradiating the light emitted from a light-emitting element toward the front of the lamp through a light-transmitting member, the forward visibility of the own vehicle driver can be improved without causing glare to oncoming vehicle drivers, etc.

[0019] In the above configuration, if the light-emitting element is further configured to have 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, and the light incident portion of the light-transmitting member is composed of a single convex curved surface, then the following effects can be obtained.

[0020] In other words, by constructing the light incidence portion as a single convex curved surface, the shape of the light-transmitting member can be simplified.

[0021] Furthermore, since the light-emitting element has a light distribution characteristic set to a value of 90° or less for the directional half-angle of its emitted light, even though the light-incident portion of the light-transmitting member is composed of 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, light transmission control by the light-transmitting member can be performed while 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 without being in close proximity to the light-transmitting member, thereby preventing the light-transmitting member from undergoing thermal deformation and failing to perform the desired light transmission control.

[0022] 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.

[0023] 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, it becomes easy to form a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern for the low beam.

[0024] 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 for the low beam as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern.

[0025] In the above configuration, if the light-emitting elements are further arranged at multiple locations spaced apart in the left-right direction of the lamp, and if the light-transmitting members are formed at multiple locations spaced apart in the left-right direction of the lamp, the light distribution pattern for the low beam can be formed as a bright light distribution pattern with a large left-right diffusion angle in which multiple light distribution patterns are superimposed.

[0026] In the above configuration, if the light-reflecting portion of the light-transmitting member is configured to have a surface shape such that the reflective region closer to the light incident portion has a greater degree of convergence of reflected light than other reflective regions, then the light distribution pattern for low beam can be formed as a light distribution pattern in which the region closer to its upper end is brighter.

[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 diagram showing a transparent view of the low beam light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the vehicle lamp, a diagram showing a transparent view of the high beam light distribution pattern formed by the light emitted from the vehicle lamp Figure (a) shows an additional light distribution pattern for high beams formed by the light emitted from the fixture, (b) and (c) show 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 a vehicle lamp according to the second modified example of the above embodiment, (a) is a plan view 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, a plan view showing the first lamp unit according to the third modified example of the above embodiment, a plan view showing the second lamp unit according to the third modified example, (a) 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 of the above embodiment, (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 of the above embodiment

[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 the 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 translucent member 40A is configured by a single convex curved surface, and allows outgoing light from the light emitting element 30A to enter downward as parallel light (more precisely, outgoing light from the light emission center of the light emitting element 30A is made 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 extending in the vertical direction of the lamp so as to pass through the light emission 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 translucent member 40A has a substantially parabolic surface shape, whereby the outgoing light 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 exiting portion 46A (that is, the focal plane including the rear focal point F of the light exiting 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 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, the 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, the horizontal plane).

[0043] The translucent member 40A has a configuration in which the light reflecting portion 44A is disposed immediately below the light incident portion 42A, the light exiting portion 46A is disposed at a position spaced forward of the lamp from the light reflecting portion 44A, and a connecting portion 48A is disposed between the light reflecting portion 44A and the light exiting portion 46A.

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

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

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

[0047] On a lower surface 48Ab of the connection 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 vehicle width direction in a left-right stepped manner along 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). The upward bent portion 48AbL is formed to pass through a position slightly above the rear focal point F of the light emitting portion 46A.

[0048] In the lower surface 48Ab of the connection 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 face 48Af, and a region located on the rear side of the lamp relative to the upward bent portion 48AbL is formed as an upward reflection surface 48Ab2 extending obliquely downward from the upward bent portion 48AbL toward the lower edge of the light reflection portion 44A. Meanwhile, the upward reflection surface 48Ab2 is formed such that a left region 48Ab2a located on the left side of the 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 reflection portion 44A reaches the light emitting portion 46A either directly or after being totally reflected by the upward reflection surface 48Ab2, and is emitted toward the front of the lamp from the light emitting portion 46A. At this time, light totally reflected by the left region 48Ab2a of the upward reflection surface 48Ab2 reaches the light emitting portion 46A after being totally reflected again by the upper surface 48Aa of the connection 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 the 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] A downward-bent portion 48BaL is formed on the upper surface 48Ba of the connecting portion 48B, extending horizontally in the vehicle width direction 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 light 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 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-rear direction of the lamp), and the light-transmitting member 40A includes a light-incident part 42A that receives the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30A, a light-reflecting part 44A that totally reflects the light incident from the light-incident part 42A, and this light-reflecting part 4 The device includes a light-emitting section 46A that emits light totally reflected by 4A towards the front of the lamp, and the light-emitting section 46A has a convex lens-shaped surface. The light-incident section 42A is configured to direct the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30A downwards as parallel light, and the light-reflecting section 44A is configured to totally reflect the light incident from the light-incident section 42A towards the rear focal plane of the light-emitting section 46A as focused light. Thus, the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30A can be efficiently utilized to form a low-beam light distribution pattern PL.

[0080] Furthermore, on the lower surface 48Ab of the connecting portion 48A that connects the light reflecting portion 44A and the light emitting portion 46A in the light-transmitting member 40A, an upward bent portion 48AbL is formed that extends in the left-right direction of the lamp along the rear focal plane of the light emitting portion 46A in order to form the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 of the low beam light distribution pattern PL, and an upward reflective surface 48Aa2 is formed that extends diagonally downward from this upward bent portion 48AbL toward the rear of the lamp. 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 making it possible to increase the brightness of the area near the lower part of the cutoff lines CL1 and CL2.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] As described above, in this embodiment, the vehicle lamp 10 is configured to form a low-beam light distribution pattern PL having staggered cutoff lines CL1 and CL2 at the upper edge by irradiating the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30A toward the front of the lamp through the light-transmitting member 40A, thereby improving the forward visibility of the own vehicle's driver without causing glare to oncoming vehicle drivers, etc.

[0085] Furthermore, in the first lamp unit 20A that performs low-beam irradiation, the light-emitting element 30A has a light distribution characteristic in which the directional half-width angle of light emitted from its light-emitting surface 30Aa is set to a value of 90° or less, and the light-transmitting member 40A has a light incident portion 42A that is composed of a single convex curved surface, so the following effects can be obtained.

[0086] In other words, by configuring the light incidence portion 42A as a single convex curved surface, the shape of the light-transmitting member 40A can be simplified. Furthermore, since the light-emitting element 30A has a light distribution characteristic in which the directional half-angle of its emitted light is set to a value of 90° or less, even though the light incidence portion 42A of the light-transmitting member 40A is configured as a single convex curved surface, most of the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30A can be incident from the light incidence portion 42A as parallel light directed downwards towards the lamp. Therefore, light transmission control by the light-transmitting member 40A can be performed while efficiently utilizing the light emitted from the light-emitting element 30A. In addition, by adopting such a light-transmitting member 40A, the light-emitting element 30A can be positioned so as not to be in close proximity to the light-transmitting member 40A, thereby preventing the light-transmitting member 40A from thermally deforming and failing to perform the desired light transmission control.

[0087] Furthermore, since the light-reflecting portion 44A of the light-transmitting member 40A has 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 as a horizontally elongated light distribution pattern.

[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] In this modified example, the light-transmitting member 140A 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 toward the front 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 left and right light-emitting elements 30B are arranged 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] 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.

[0137] 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.

[0138] This international application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-029599, filed on 26 February 2025, and the entire contents of said Japanese Patent Application No. 2025-029599 are incorporated herein by reference.

[0139] 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.

[0140] 2 Oncoming vehicle 10, 210 Vehicle lighting fixture 12 Lamp body 14 Light-transmitting cover 20A, 120A, 220A, 320A, 420A First lighting unit 20B, 220B, 320B, 420B Second lighting unit 30A, 30B Light-emitting element 30Aa, 30Ba Light-emitting surface 32 Substrate 40A, 40B, 140A, 240A, 240B, 340A, 340B, 440A, 440B Light-transmitting member 42A, 42B, 342A, 342B, 442A, 442B Light incident part 44A, 44B, 144A, 344A, 344B, 444A, 444B Light reflection part 44B1, 144A1 Upper region 44B2, 144A2 Lower region 46A, 46B, 246A, 246B, 346A, 346B, 446A, 446B Light emitting section 48A, 48B, 348A, 348B, 448A, 448B Connection section 48Aa, 48Ba, 348Ba Top surface 48Aa1, 48Ba3 Rear end area 48Ab, 48Bb, 348Ab Lower surface 48AbL, 348AbL Upward bending part 48Ab1, 48Ba1 Inclined surface 48Ab2, 348Ab2 Upward reflecting surface 48Ab2a, 348Ab2a Left side area (one area in the left and right direction of the lamp) 48Ab2b, 348Ab2b Right side area (other area in the left-right direction of the lamp) 48Ab2c Strip-shaped area 48Ac, 48Bc Side surface 48Af, 48Bf Front end surface 48BaL, 348BaL Downward bent section 48Ba2, 348Ba2 Downward reflective surface Ax1, Ax2 Axis CL1 Cutoff line on the opposing lane side CL2 Cutoff line on the own lane side D Low light intensity area E Elbow point F Rear focal point HZA, HZH, HZL High light intensity area PA Additional light distribution pattern (lamp light distribution pattern) PA1 Focusing light distribution pattern PA2 Diffusing light distribution pattern PH High beam light distribution pattern PL Low beam light distribution pattern (lamp light distribution pattern)

Claims

1. In a vehicle lamp configured to form a low-beam light distribution pattern having staggered cutoff lines on the upper edge 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-indicating portion for receiving light emitted from the light-emitting element, a light-reflecting portion for totally reflecting the light incident from the light-indicating portion, and a light-emitting portion for emitting the light totally reflected by the light-reflecting portion toward the front of the lamp, the light-emitting portion has a convex lens-shaped surface, the light-indicating portion is configured to receive light emitted from the light-emitting element as parallel light directed toward the required direction, and the light-reflecting portion is configured to totally reflect the light incident from the light-indicating portion as focused light directed toward the rear focal plane of the light-emitting portion. A vehicle lamp characterized in that the lower surface of the light-transmitting member has an upward bent portion extending in the left-right direction of the lamp along the rear focal plane of the light-emitting portion to form the cutoff line, and an upward reflective surface extending diagonally downward from the upward bent portion toward the rear of the lamp, wherein one region of the upward reflective surface in the left-right direction of the lamp is formed at a larger inclination angle than the other region.

2. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1, characterized in that 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, and the light incident part is composed of a single convex curved surface.

3. The vehicle lamp according to claim 1 or 2, 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.

4. The vehicle lamp according to claim 3, 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.

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

6. 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.

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