Patent ID: 8718109

Claim:
A laser array light source unit comprising: a plurality of semiconductor lasers each including a main body portion and a leg portion with a leading electrode; a laser holder including receiving surfaces for holding the main body portions of the plurality of semiconductor lasers, and through-holes into which the leg portions of the plurality of semiconductor lasers are inserted; an insulator including a plurality of electrode insertion portions having through-holes into which the respective leading electrodes of the plurality of semiconductor lasers are inserted; and a wiring base for electrically connecting at least two of the plurality of semiconductor lasers in series, wherein the insulator includes a connecting portion for connecting the plurality of electrode insertion portions in the same direction in which the plurality of semiconductor lasers are arranged, each of the through holes, of the insulator, into which the respective leading electrodes are inserted includes: a leading electrode inlet into which a corresponding one of the leading electrodes is inserted; a leading electrode outlet through which the corresponding one of the leading electrodes exits; and a small-diameter portion formed between the leading electrode inlet and the leading electrode outlet, wherein a portion between the leading electrode inlet and the small-diameter portion is tapered such that a diameter on the leading electrode inlet side is greater than a diameter on the small-diameter portion side, and a portion between the small-diameter portion and the leading electrode outlet is tapered such that a diameter on the leading electrode outlet side is greater than a diameter on the small-diameter portion side, and the wiring base includes first through-holes into which the respective leading electrodes of the plurality of semiconductor lasers are inserted.