Scanning unit with a printed circuit for an optical position-measuring apparatus

A scanning unit for an optical position-measuring apparatus with a flexible printed circuit that electrically couples several electronic components. Among the components is at least one optoelectronic detector element or a radiation source that is suitable for the generation of shift-dependent modulated optical scanning signals from the scanning of a scale graduation structure. The radiation-sensitive detector face or the light-emitting face of the radiation source is oriented in the direction towards the flexible printed circuit. The flexible printed circuit has at least partially transparent recesses at least in a partial area of the radiation-sensitive detector face or the light-emitting face of the radiation source, a scanning graduation or transmitting graduation is disposed that in cooperation with the scale graduation structure makes possible the generation of position-dependent modulated scanning signals.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention is directed to a scanning unit for a 
position-measuring apparatus, and more particularly, to a 
position-measuring apparatus that utilizes a flexible printed circuit to 
electrically couple elements which eliminates the need for bond wires. 
2. Discussion of Relevant Art 
In prior art optical position-measuring apparatuses, a scale having a 
graduation is scanned with a scanning unit for the generation of 
position-dependent signals. The scale graduation, in the case of a 
transmitted-light measuring apparatus, includes alternately disposed 
light-transmissive and light non-transmissive areas, for example. 
Furthermore, a radiation source is required that illuminates the scale 
graduation structure either by incident light or transmitted light. Using 
radiation-sensitive detector elements, shift-dependent modulated optical 
scanning signals are registered in the case of a relative movement of the 
scanning unit and scale graduation structure. In addition, customarily 
provided on the side of the scanning unit of a transmitted light type 
optical position-measuring apparatus is a scanning graduation that is also 
formed by a sequence of light-transmissive and light non-transmissive 
areas. 
Traditional scanning units are relatively expensive to construct and 
manufacture. There have been efforts to construct components of an optical 
position-measuring apparatus more simply and compactly while still 
providing mechanical stability. 
One solution is directed toward the integration of various components of 
the scanning unit, and, if necessary, the required evaluation electronics 
into a common carrier substrate. German Patent Publication DE 195 24 725 
C1 discloses such an example. This proposed solution has disadvantages 
because expensive multi-layer systems must be produced for connecting the 
various components on the glass carrier substrate if conductor track 
crossovers are necessary. 
Connecting problems of this type can be managed if flexible printed 
circuits are used for connecting various components within the scanning 
unit. These flexible printed circuits may also contain, already in more or 
less integrated form, various components of the scanning unit, and, if 
necessary, of the evaluation electronics. Scanning units with this type of 
flexible printed circuits are known from the following publications: 
European Patent Publication Nos. EP 0 328 661 A1 and EP 0 146 312; 
Japanese Patent Publication No. JP-57-207819 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,486,923, 
for example. 
In each of the aforementioned publications, a flexible printed circuit is 
applied to a carrier component of a scanning unit and to this in turn 
several components such as light sources, evaluation components, or 
detector elements are applied. The various components are connected 
electrically to one another by the conductor tracks of the flexible 
printed circuit. The radiation-sensitive face of the detector elements is 
oriented oppositely to the flexible printed circuit in the variations that 
are known from each of these publications. This has the consequence that, 
in the case of connection of the detector elements from the 
radiation-sensitive side, so-called bond wires are required for the 
connection to the flexible printed circuit. This type of connection 
results in increased cost of manufacture, particularly for the production 
of a large number of parts. 
In the scanning unit disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 
JP-57-207819 the radiation-sensitive faces of the detector elements are 
also oriented away from the flexible printed circuit. Details regarding 
the connection of the detector elements are not disclosed. 
U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,693 also discloses disposing on a scale graduation 
carrier an optoelectronic detector element by a flexible printed circuit 
for reference mark detection. 
It is thus an object of the present invention to form advantageously a 
scanning unit with which a graduation structure of a scale for the 
generation of position-dependent output signals can be scanned. Ensured 
signal quality, reduced manufacturing costs should result particularly if 
the electrical connection points are as small as possible. Furthermore, it 
is desirable that the scanning unit have as compact and stable a 
mechanical construction as possible. 
The present invention disposition of the flexible printed circuit and at 
least one of the detector elements within the scanning unit of an optical 
position-measuring apparatus has, moreover, in comparison to the prior art 
solutions, a clearly simpler manufacture as a consequence. Thus it is no 
longer required to connect electrically the detector elements to one 
another and/or to other structural elements by separately applied bond 
wires. Instead, the assembly of scanning units with the required detector 
elements results from the flexible printed circuit already connected with 
the detector elements in production. Moreover fewer electrical connection 
points results. 
Furthermore, it has proven itself advantageous if, moreover, the function 
of the various components on the flexible printed circuit can already be 
tested before final mounting of the complete scanning unit and in this way 
defective units separated out. 
Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment of the invention the scanning unit 
is not restricted to one definite scanning geometry but rather can be used 
in linear, rotary, incident-light, or transmitted-light measuring 
apparatuses, for example, as well as absolute and incremental position 
measuring apparatus. 
Moreover it is ensured in this type of scanning unit, due to the small 
distance between the scanning graduation structure and the subsequently 
disposed optoelectronic components that a good optical separation with 
minimal cross-talk and low scattered light result. 
In addition, the use of the flexible printed circuit, due to the relatively 
simple manageable prior out multi-layer technology, makes certain that any 
required conductor track crossovers can be realized simply, in particular, 
without expensive vacuum process technologies. 
Furthermore, it follows as a further advantage that any mechanical stresses 
between the respective carrier bodies and the components disposed thereon 
due to the flexible printed circuit disposed therebetween can be 
minimized. Any possible thermal extension of the carrier body is 
transferred to the flexible printed circuit in this case, which 
compensates for this type of thermal effect. 
Further advantages as well as the details of the inventive scanning unit 
follow from the following description of several exemplary embodiments 
with the aid of the accompanying figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIG. 1a is a schematic of a reflected-light position-measuring apparatus 
according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The optical 
position-measuring apparatus includes a scale 2, scanning unit 10 and 
evaluation unit 4. Scale 2 has a graduation 3 disposed thereon. The scale 
2 and scanning unit 10 are moveable with respect to one another in the 
measuring direction X. For example, the scale 2 may be coupled to a 
workpiece (not shown) and the scanning unit 10 may be coupled to a tool 
(not shown) of a machine tool. The relative position of the tool to the 
workpiece is measured by the position-measuring apparatus. 
In a preferred embodiment, the scanning unit 10 is housed in a housing (not 
shown) for protection against mechanical influences. The scanning unit 10 
scans the scale 2 and generates scanning signals. These scanning signals 
are sent to the evaluation unit 4 where they can be processed. In a 
preferred embodiment, the evaluation unit 4 processes the scanning signals 
to generate control signals which are used to control the movement of the 
machine tool, for example, as is well known by those of ordinary skill in 
the art. 
In a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1a and b, an incremental 
reflected-light position-measuring apparatus is shown. The graduation 3 of 
the scale 2 includes a periodic sequence of reflecting and non-reflecting 
areas disposed on a scale 2 according to prior art practices. FIG. 1b is a 
plan view of the scanning unit 10 shown in FIG. 1a. The scanning unit 10 
according to a preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1a and b includes a 
carrier body 5 that is transparent to the radiation used and preferably is 
a flat, plane glass substrate. A portion of a flexible printed circuit 7 
is disposed on a surface of a carrier body 5. Carrier body 5 provides the 
mechanical stabilization of at least a portion of the flexible printed 
circuit 7. 
The scanning unit 10 also includes a light source 6.1 and photodetectors 
6.2 and 6.3. Other circuit components 8.1 and 8.2 can also be incorporated 
in the scanning unit 10 as will be described in detail hereinafter. The 
detectors 6.2 and 6.3 have radiation-sensitive faces that face towards the 
scale 2. A scanning graduation 13.2, 13.3 is disposed in front of the 
radiation-sensitive faces of the detectors 6.2, 6.3, respectively. A beam 
is emitted by the light source 6.1 and is reflected and, if necessary, 
deflected at the graduation 3 and arrives at detectors 6.2, 6.3. In a 
preferred embodiment detectors 6.2, 6.3 are optoelectronic detectors. The 
scanning graduations 13.2, 13.3 disposed before detectors 6.2, 6.3 allow 
position-dependent output signals to be generated in the case of relative 
movement of the scanning unit 10 and scale 2 as is well known by those of 
ordinary skill in the art. Thus, the scanning graduations 13.2,13.3 cause, 
in connection with a scanned graduation 3, the generation of a stripe 
pattern that can be converted, with the aid of the detector elements 6.2, 
6.3 into periodic, position-dependent signals in the case of relative 
movement between the scale 2 and scanning unit 3. 
Although the position-measuring apparatus is shown for a reflected-light 
type device it may also be used in transmitted-light type measuring 
apparatuses as well as for use within absolute measuring systems. 
Moreover, along with the illustrated linear measuring arrangement, rotary 
measuring arrangements with an appropriately structurally modified 
scanning unit and scale can obviously also be realized, as well as 
measuring arrangements, for example, in a cylindrical configuration. 
The principal function of the flexible printed circuit 7 is to provide 
electrical connections between the various components 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 8.1, 
8.2 of the scanning unit 10 and the subsequently disposed evaluation unit 
4. In a preferred embodiment, the connections between the various 
components 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 8.1, 8.2 are provided by conductor tracks 1a-1e 
that are integrated into the flexible printed circuit 7 as shown in FIG. 
1b. 
The flexible printed circuit 7 used for that purpose is formed according to 
prior art practices, that is, electrical conductor tracks 1a-1e are 
disposed in definite line patterns on an electrically insulating, flexible 
carrier material that in turn are covered with a protective layer. Thereby 
various embodiments of this type of flexible printed circuit 7 can be 
used, for example multi-layer arrangements, single-sided or multi-sided 
variations, through-plated arrangements and so on. An appropriately thinly 
formed printed circuit board which due to its slight thickness still has a 
certain flexibility is also considered a flexible printed circuit. 
Furthermore, the flexible printed circuit 7 in integrated form can contain 
already complete circuits 8.2 that are used as evaluation components for 
further processing the position-dependent modulated analog scanning 
signals. In the preferred embodiment shown, several of the components 6.1, 
6.2, 6.3 are disposed in that part of the flexible printed circuit 7 that 
is stabilized by the carrier body while other components 8.1, 8.2 are 
integrated either directly into the flexible printed circuit 7 or are 
disposed on the part of the flexible printed circuit 7 that is not 
stabilized mechanically. The electrically conducting connection of the 
components 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 8.1, 8.2 among themselves and/or with the 
evaluation unit 4 is accomplished by the conductor tracks 1a-1e indicated 
schematically in FIG. 1b within the flexible printed circuit 7. 
The flexible printed circuit 7 has at one end which is to be coupled to the 
evaluation unit 4 a removable electrical connection element 9a in the form 
of a plug connector. In particular, the scanning unit 1 can be coupled to 
the evaluation unit 4 through a plug counterpart 9b and an appropriate 
cable 11. Additional components (not shown) for additional processing of 
the scanning signals such as interpolation or digitalization of the 
scanning signals can be disposed on the connector plug 9b and connected 
electrically by the flexible printed circuit. 
In an area of the carrier body 5 it can prove advantageous to provide the 
flexible printed circuit 7 with an electrical shielding that shields at 
least part of the various components 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 8.1, 8.2 with respect 
to electromagnetic interference radiation. Shielding, which is not shown 
in FIGS. 1a and 1b but is shown in FIG. 1c, in the form of a thin metal 
layer 100 applied to at least the upper and lower side of the flexible 
printed circuit 7 is suitable, for example. Alternatively, the flexible 
printed circuit 7 can be completely encircled with a shielding of this 
type. 
Among the components 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 8.1 and 8.2 of the scanning unit 10, at 
least one component is formed as an optoelectronic detector element that 
serves to generate modulated optical scanning signals in the case of 
relative shift of the scanning unit 10 and graduation 3. As detector 
elements 6.2, 6.3 any customary photoelements are suitable. Advantageously 
several detector elements 6.2, 6.3 are provided within the scanning unit 
10 in order to generate defined phase-shifted signals according to prior 
art practices. In particular at the output of the detectors two scanning 
signals that are phase-offset by 90.degree. are produced that, along with 
the determination of relative position, it is also possible to 
discriminate the direction of displacement. In the preferred embodiment 
shown, the scanning unit 10 includes two detector elements 6.2, 6.3. 
Preferably four detector elements interconnected according to prior art 
practices may be included. 
Moreover, assigned to each of the detector elements 6.2, 6.3 is a 
schematically illustrated scanning graduation 13.2, 13.3 that is shown in 
the preferred embodiment of FIGS. 1a and 1b at the upper side of the 
carrier body 5. If the carrier body 5 is a glass substrate, the glass is 
textured or patterned in the area of the radiation-sensitive detector 
faces to form scanning graduations 13.2, 13.3. This can be realized in the 
form of periodically disposed light-transmissive or light-non-transmissive 
areas that function as scanning graduations 13.2, 13.3 according to prior 
art practices. 
The radiation-sensitive detector faces of the detector elements 6.2, 6.3 
are each consequently oriented, in the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 
1a and 1b, in the direction of the flexible printed circuit 7 or in the 
direction of the transparent carrier body 5. Due to the relative 
arrangement of the carrier body 5, flexible printed circuit 7, and 
radiation-sensitive detector faces, the flexible printed circuit 7 in the 
preferred embodiment shown has a recess at least in a partial area of the 
respective detector face. Through this recess the radiation reflected back 
from the scale graduation 3 after passage through the scanning graduations 
13.2, 13.3 can arrive at the radiation-sensitive detector faces. 
In addition to the patterning shown for the upper side of the carrier body 
5, there exist additional possibilities to form the scanning graduations 
13.2, 13.3. For example, it is also possible to pattern the underside of 
the carrier body 5 or, to pattern the flexible printed circuit 7 in the 
area of the detector face recesses. Also, the radiation-sensitive detector 
face can be formed in a patterned way which serves as a scanning 
graduation. 
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the scanning unit shown in FIG. 
1a, in particular, the scanning unit 10 having a detector element 6.2 
disposed over the carrier body 5 and the flexible printed circuit 7. The 
detector element 6.2 shown is disposed above the flexible printed circuit 
7 wherein the flexible printed circuit 7 has a recess 7.2. The 
radiation-sensitive face 16.2 of the detector element 6.2 is oriented in 
the direction of the flexible printed circuit 7 whereby the 
radiation-sensitive detector face 16.2 of the detector element 6.2 rests 
at least partially on the flexible printed circuit 7 in an area of 
overlap. The radiation-sensitive detector face 16.2 is consequently 
somewhat larger than the recess 7.2 of the flexible printed circuit 7. In 
the area of overlap between the detector face 16.2 and flexible printed 
circuit 7, the detector elements 6.2 are connected electrically to the 
flexible printed circuit 7 as indicated by contacts 4a and 4b. The 
connection of the detector element 6.2 is consequently done in this 
preferred embodiment only from the front side or radiation-sensitive face 
16.2 of the detector element 6.2. There is no need for connection from the 
back side or from both front and back sides. Suitable connecting processes 
to couple the detector elements 6.2 as well as other of the components to 
the flexible printed circuit 7 are known as so-called flip-chip 
technology. Reference is made, by way of example, to Hans Kober's 
publication "Flexibel verdrahten auf kleinstem Raum" in [Flexible 
Interconnection in the Smallest Space] Feinwerktechnik, Mikrotechnik, 
Mikroelektronik [Precision Technology, Microtechnology, Microelectronics], 
Carl Hanser Verlag Munich, 104, P. 356-359 (1966). 
From a production point of view this type of connection of the detector 
elements 6 on the flexible printed circuit 7 can be done rather simply in 
comparison to connections using bond wires as taught by the prior art. 
After assembly of the flexible printed circuit 7 with the various 
components according to this practice, the part of the flexible printed 
circuit 7 to be stabilized is glued to the glass carrier body 5. 
Referring back to FIGS. 1a and b it is also possible to connect an 
integratedly formed radiation source 6.1 that in the preferred embodiment 
of the scanning unit 10 shown in FIGS. 1a and 1b is also disposed on the 
carrier body 5 using the same technique. The radiation source 6.1 is 
thereby formed perhaps as a semiconductor laser. In this case, that side 
of the radiation source 6.1 that emits radiation is turned toward the 
flexible printed circuit 7, that is, the connection is done frontally by 
prior art flip-chip technologies. In the preferred embodiment shown in 
FIGS. 1a and b it is preferred to structure the carrier body 5 on the 
transmission side before the radiation source 6.1 is located on the 
flexible circuit 7 so that this area functions as transmission graduation 
13.1 for beam formation. This represents, however, merely one possible 
preferred embodiment of the radiation source. Alternatively, suitable 
optics can also be disposed between the radiation source and the scale 
graduation. In addition the flexible printed circuit 7 lying before the 
radiation source can be patterned. In addition, the light-emitting face of 
the radiation source 6.1 itself can be patterned. 
Of course, the flexible printed circuit 7 also has a corresponding recess 
in the area before the radiation-emitting face of the radiation source 6.1 
through which the emitting radiation arrives in the direction of the scale 
graduation 3. 
Along with the components 6.1, 6.2 and 6.3 for the generation and detection 
of electromagnetic radiation is at least one component but preferably a 
couple of components 8.1, 8.2 disposed in the scanning unit 10 and 
electrically coupled to one another by the flexible printed circuit 7 that 
further process the signals output by detectors 6.1, 6.2; i.e., detected, 
shift-dependent modulated signals. Components 8.1, 8.2 may be amplifiers, 
digitizers, or interpolation units, for example. Furthermore, it is also 
possible to use components that correct the analog scanning signals with 
respect to phase position, amplitude, or offset and so on. 
FIG. 2 is a schematic of a reflected-light position-measuring apparatus 
according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention. A 
portion of a flexible printed circuit 27a is once again disposed and 
stabilized mechanically by a transparent carrier body 25. By the flexible 
printed circuit 27a, various components 26.1, 26.2, 26.3, 28.1, 28.2, 28.3 
of a scanning unit 21 are coupled to one another electrically in this area 
27a as well as in a nonstabilized area 27b. The partial area 27a of the 
flexible printed circuit 27 to be stabilized is once again disposed 
directly on the carrier body 25 and preferably glued to the carrier body 
25. A radiation source 26.1 as well as two detector elements 26.2, 26.3 
are disposed over the flexible printed circuit 27a. As was already 
described with references to FIGS. 1a and b, at least in a partial area of 
the radiation-sensitive faces of the detector elements 26.2, 26.3 and the 
radiation-emitting face of the radiation source 26.1 the flexible printed 
circuit 27a has recesses. The coupling of these components 26.1, 26.2, 
26.3 is accomplished in the same manner previously described. 
Scanning graduations 23.2, 23.3, as well as a transmission graduation 23.1 
are moreover formed by patterning of the carrier body underside, that is, 
the alternatively light-transmissive or light-non-transmissive areas are 
disposed on the underside of the glass substrate serving as carrier body 
25 instead of the top side as shown in FIGS. 1a and b. 
In addition in this preferred embodiment of the scanning unit 21 individual 
partial areas 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 of the transparent carrier body 25 possess 
a light-refracting optical effect. In particular, in the partial areas of 
the carrier body 25, directly before the radiation source 26.1 as well as 
before the detector elements 26.2, 26.3, optical elements 23.1 23.2, 23.3 
are integrated directly into the carrier body 25. For example, so-called 
GRIN lens are suited for this purpose. A GRIN lens 23.1 disposed before 
the radiation source 26.1 has a collimating optical effect while the GRIN 
lens 23.2, 23.3 before the detector elements 26.2, 26.3 each have a 
converging or focusing optical effect. For the production of these partial 
areas 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 to function as GRIN lenses exchange processes in 
the carrier body production can be used in an advantageous manner so that 
the complete glass substrate can be produced in one production process. 
Alternatively, the partial areas 22.1, 22.2, 22.3 can be formed as a lens 
array or prisms that are integrated into the carrier body and have the 
required optical effect. 
Furthermore, in this preferred embodiment a removable connector plug is 
provided between the part of the flexible printed circuit 27a stabilized 
by the carrier body 25 and the subsequent nonstabilized area 27b. For this 
purpose a suitable connector plug 24a as well as a matching plug 
counterpart 24b is required as shown. 
FIG. 3 is a schematic of a transmitted-light position measuring apparatus 
according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention. In 
this preferred embodiment of the scanning unit 31 includes on a 
detector-side part of the scanning unit shown in the upper half of the 
figure a transparently formed carrier body 35.1 on which two detector 
elements 36.2, 36.3 are disposed over a glued-on partial area of the 
flexible printed circuit 37 as previously explained. By a connector plug 
39a, the detector-side part of the scanning unit 31 is removably connected 
to a subsequently disposed evaluation unit (not shown). 
The scanning units 33.2, 33.3 before the radiation-sensitive detector faces 
are formed as in the first preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1a and 2, 
i.e., on the upper side of the carrier body. The portion of the flexible 
printed circuit 37 glued onto the upper side of the carrier body also has 
the corresponding recesses before the radiation-sensitive detector faces 
through which the beam can arrive at the detector elements 36.2, 36.3. 
With respect to the coupling of the detector elements 36.2, 36.3, as well 
as the evaluation components 38 provided in the nonstabilized partial 
area, reference is made to the previous embodiments. 
The flexible printed circuit 37 disposed in this preferred embodiment of 
the scanning unit 31 on the detector-side part is partially wound about 
the carrier body 35 as shown. Preferably the flexible printed circuit 37 
is glued to the underside of the carrier body. Due to this chosen 
geometry, additional recesses of the flexible printed circuit 37 are 
furthermore required on the underside of the carrier body 35 so that beams 
can arrive at the detector elements. 
Alternatively instead of patterning the carrier upper side it is also 
possible in a preferred embodiment to pattern the flexible printed circuit 
37 in the area of the recesses on the underside of the carrier body as 
shown in FIG. 3. 
Due to the chosen transmitted-light measuring apparatus, the scanning unit 
31 furthermore includes a radiation-source side part shown in the lower 
half of the figure that is disposed spatially separated from the 
detector-side part mentioned initially and together with the detector-side 
part of the scanning unit 31 is displaceable relative to a scale 
graduation (not shown) which is disposed between the radiation-source side 
part and the detector-side part. Also the radiation-source side part of 
the scanning unit 31 is coupled by flexible printed circuit 37 and a 
second connector plug 39b to the detector-side part of the scanning unit 
31 and a subsequently disposed evaluation unit (not shown). The flexible 
printed circuit 37 includes in the preferred embodiment shown two 
removable plug connections 39a, 39b by which the coupling of the scanning 
unit to an evaluation unit and/or other system units such as, for example, 
to a power supply unit (not shown) is produced. 
The radiation-source side part of the scanning unit 31 has a similar 
construction to the detector-side part, that is, a transparent carrier 
body 35.2 is also provided that mechanically stabilizes a portion of the 
flexible printed circuit 37 disposed thereon. Above a recess of the 
flexible printed circuit 37' a radiation source 36.1 is disposed that can 
be coupled as previously explained. On the side of the carrier body 35.2 
facing the flexible printed circuit 37, a transmission graduation 33.1, 
preferably in the form of a patterning of the carrier body 35.2, is once 
again provided. 
FIG. 4 is a schematic of a reflected-light position-measuring apparatus 
according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
Unlike the preferred embodiments previously described individual 
components 46.1, 46.2 of the scanning unit 41 are disposed directly on a 
transparent carrier body 45 while other evaluation components 48a, 48b are 
disposed on a nonstabilized part of the flexible printed circuit 47. Once 
again a removable connection to a subsequently disposed evaluation unit 
(not shown) is provided by a connector plug 49. 
In the preferred embodiment of FIG. 4 one of the two components 46.1 
disposed directly on the carrier body serves as a radiation source while 
the other of the two components 46.2 serves as a detector element that 
registers shift-dependent modulated signals of a reflectively formed scale 
graduation (not shown) disposed on the underside of the carrier body 45. 
The preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 4 is suited particularly in 
connection with components that can be coupled from that side that is 
oriented away from the flexible printed circuit 47. For example, in this 
case one can use detector elements formed as photo elements that can be 
coupled from that side that is oriented away from the radiation-sensitive 
face, thereby providing back-side coupling. 
FIG. 6 is a transmitted-light position-measuring apparatus according to a 
fifth-preferred embodiment of the present invention. As in the case of the 
preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3 a transmitted-light 
position-measuring apparatus is shown in which a transparent scale 
graduation 63 is disposed on a transparent graduation carrier 62. The 
graduation structure 63 is displaceable in a direction X with respect to 
the scanning unit 61. 
While the detector-side part of the scanning unit 61 is formed identically 
to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a modified construction of 
the radiation-source side of the scanning unit 61, that is, the lower 
side, is provided. Thus a radiation source 66.1 is disposed on a carrier 
body 65.2 over a flexible printed circuit 67 lying therebetween. The 
coupling of the radiation source 66.1, for example formed as a 
semiconductor laser or LED, is accomplished by the flexible printed 
circuit 67. Unlike the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 3, collimating 
optics 66.4 are disposed before the radiation source 66.1 that serves to 
direct the emitted radiation collimated to the scale graduation structure 
63. The collimation optics 66.4 are consequently fixedly connected to the 
scanning unit 61 and is also shifted with respect to the scale graduation 
structure 63. 
FIG. 7a is a plan view of a portion of a reflected-light position-measuring 
apparatus according to a sixth preferred embodiment of the present 
invention. FIG. 7b is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus shown in 
FIG. 7a. In this preferred embodiment so-called divergent illumination is 
provided within the position-measuring apparatus, that is, no collimation 
optics are required between a radiation source 76.1 and the scanning 
graduation structure 76.2. In this type of position-measuring apparatus it 
must moreover be ensured that the transmission graduation 73.1 before the 
light-emitting face of the radiation source 76.1, as well as the scanning 
graduation before the light-sensitive faces 76.2 of the detector element 
76.3, lie in the same plane. In particular, in the case of a formation of 
the scanning graduation as a patterning of the light-sensitive face 76.2 
of a detector element 76.3, definite prerequisites must be met in order to 
satisfy these conditions. 
Thus in the preferred embodiments shown in FIGS. 7a and 7b, the radiation 
source 76.1 is arranged in the scanning unit as previously described. This 
means that it is disposed on a preferably transparent carrier body 75 and 
a flexible printed circuit 77 disposed thereon or above a corresponding 
recess of the same. The transmission graduation 73.1 is formed by the 
structuring of the carrier body 75. The radiation source can be disposed 
by the prior art flip-chip technology on the flexible printed circuit 77, 
as already described. 
In order, moreover, to ensure that the scanning graduation in the form of a 
suitably patterned, light-sensitive face 76.2 of the detector element 76.3 
lies in the same plane as the transmission graduation 73.1, the detector 
element 76.3 is disposed with its light-sensitive face directly on the 
carrier body 75. Laterally the suitably dimensioned detector element 76.3 
projects over the transverse dimensions of the carrier body 75, which once 
again is required due to the coupling of the detector element 76.3 with 
the flexible printed circuit 77 on its underside. The flexible printed 
circuit 77 in this preferred embodiment is so wide that it makes possible 
coupling on its underside, at least in the area of the detector element 
76.3. For this purpose the flexible printed circuit 77 is suitably bent in 
the coupling area and the detector element 76.3 can also once again be 
contacted at that side that faces the carrier body 75. In the area of the 
light-sensitive face 76.2 of the detector element 76.3, the flexible 
printed circuit 77 has also in this preferred embodiment once again a 
suitable recess. 
Along with the preferred embodiments shown of the scanning unit there exist 
a series of additional possibilities. For example, it is also possible to 
dispose on both sides of the carrier body evaluation components in order 
to integrate a large number of evaluation components. 
It is to be understood that the forms of the invention as described herein 
are to be taken as preferred examples and that various changes in the 
shape, size and arrangement of parts maybe resorted to without departing 
from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the claims.