Optical coupling assembly for use with a high brightness light source

摘要

An optical coupling assembly is useful for coupling a source of light, having high brightness and focussed at a focal plane, to a plurality of optical light conductors. The coupling assembly includes a light transmissive elongated segmented rod-shaped coupling member formed of a plurality of longitudinal sections and a retainer member for holding the longitudinal sections together in an assembled relationship. The coupling member has a central longitudinal axis and at an input end is disposed at the focal plane of the light source, while at an output end is disposed against leading ends of the plurality of optical light conductors. Each longitudinal section of the coupling member has a plurality of spaced longitudinal surfaces capable of internally reflecting light traveling within the longitudinal section. The retainer member is a hollow sleeve which holds the longitudinal sections together in the nested relationship with one another such that some of the longitudinal surfaces of the longitudinal sections define an external circumferential surface of the coupling member whereas others of the longitudinal surfaces of the longitudinal sections define a plurality of internal surfaces within the coupling member which extend from the external circumferential surface to the central longitudinal axis thereof.