Patent ID: 6859934

Claim:
A scanning device for scanning a disc-shaped information carrier, which scanning device is provided with a table which can be rotated about an axis of rotation and on which an information carrier can be placed, and with a scanning unit, and a linear motor by means of which the scanning unit can be displaced with respect to the table predominantly in a radial direction, which linear motor is provided with a first and a second part which are displaceably guided with respect to each other by means of a straight guide, the first part being provided with pairs of magnets having opposite directions of magnetization directed substantially perpendicularly to the guide, and the second part being provided with an electric coil system comprising winding portions extending substantially perpendicularly to the directions of magnetization and perpendicularly to the guide, and the linear motor being provided with a control unit for controlling an electric current in the coil system, characterized in that, in operation, the control unit admits an electric current to at least one of said winding portions and controls said electric current, if said winding portion is situated in a magnetic transition field between two adjacent magnets having opposite directions of magnetization.