Patent ID: 7121015

Claim:
A linear measuring device for measuring a relative position of a first machine element with respect to a second machine element, comprising: a housing fastened to said first machine element; a scale within said housing, wherein said scale is fastened extending along said housing in a measuring direction; a scanning device for scanning said scale; a linear guide device comprising: a guide rail, which is rigidly assigned to said housing and includes a guide area; and a guide carriage, which supports said scanning device and is guided on said guide rail along said housing in said measuring direction, wherein said guide carriage is connected to said guide rail, free of play in all directions perpendicular to said measuring direction and said guide carriage comprises a fastener to fasten said guide carriage rigidly on said second machine element in said measuring direction and said all directions perpendicular to said measuring direction; wherein said housing is structured so that during measuring operations it is deflected perpendicular to said measuring direction at least in said guide area, so that in the course of movement of said guide carriage in a direction perpendicular to said measuring direction said housing is taken along in said direction perpendicular to said measuring direction.