A scanning unit for an optical position measuring device, which is suited
for optically scanning a scale graduation, to produce positionally
dependent scanning signals on the basis of scale graduation. The scanning
unit includes a carrier element, at least one optoelectronic component,
which is arranged on the carrier element, a radiation-sensitive or a
radiation-emitting surface region of the component being oriented to face
away from the carrier element. Provision is also made for at least one
electrically conductive connector lead between the carrier element and a
contacting region of the component. An at least semi-transparent cover
element is arranged directly on the radiation-sensitive and/or
radiation-emitting surface region of the component. In this case, the
cover element is arranged in such a way with respect to the component
that the contacting region of the component is not covered by it and, in
addition, the thickness of the cover element is selected so as to ensure
that the top side of the cover element exceeds the height of the
connector lead in the contacting region.