Patent ID: 7903342

Claim:
A lens array unit comprising: a first lens array plate provided with a plurality of first outer lenses arranged systematically on one of the surfaces of the plate and with a plurality of first inner lenses arranged systematically on the other surface; a second lens array plate provided with a plurality of second outer lenses arranged systematically on one of the surfaces of the plate and with a plurality of second inner lenses arranged systematically on the other surface; and a holder operative to hold a stack of the first lens array plate and the second lens array plate such that the first inner lenses and the second inner lenses are respectively opposite to each other, wherein the holder comprises: a first surface part provided with a plurality of first through holes respectively corresponding to the plurality of first outer lenses; a second surface part provided with a plurality of second through holes respectively corresponding to the plurality of second outer lenses; and a support part operative to support the first surface part and the second surface part so as to be located at a predetermined distance from each other, wherein the first surface part, the second surface part, and the support part are integrally formed by a light shielding material, and the first lens array plate and the second lens array plate are held by the holder by being inserted between the first surface part and the second surface part such that each of the plurality of first outer lenses is located opposite to the corresponding first through hole, and each of the plurality of second outer lenses is located opposite to the corresponding second through hole.