Patent ID: 8018656

Claim:
A lens array unit comprising: a first lens array plate; a plurality of first lenses arranged on the first lens array plate, each first lens having a first optical axis that extends in a first direction, the first lenses being arranged in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a second lens array plate; a plurality of second lenses arranged on the second lens array plate, each second lens having a second optical axis that extends in the first direction, the second lenses being arranged in the second direction; and a support member having opposite first and second sides, extending in the second direction to support the first lens array plate on the first side and support the second lens array plate on the second side so that the first lens array plate opposes the second lens array plate; wherein the bending rigidity of the support member in the first direction is higher than the bending rigidity of the first lens array plate in the first direction, and the bending rigidity of the first lens array plate in the first direction with respect to the second direction is lower than the bending rigidity of the first lens array plate in a third direction perpendicular to the first direction with respect to the second direction.