Patent ID: 8256599

Claim:
A wave spring holding structure comprising: a wave spring that includes a plurality of crest portions and a plurality of recessed portions that are alternately formed in a circumferential direction of the wave spring, and a first gap formed at a portion of the wave spring in the circumferential direction of the wave spring; a circular member provided to be rotatable around an axis; and a snap ring having an arc shape, which includes a second gap formed at a portion of the snap ring in a circumferential direction of the snap ring, wherein the snap ring restricts movement of the circular member in a direction of the axis, wherein the wave spring and the snap ring are disposed so that the wave spring and the snap ring share the axis with the circular member; the wave spring and the snap ring are rotatable with respect to each other; the wave spring is disposed between the circular member and the snap ring so that the crest portions protrude toward the circular member, and the recessed portions protrude toward the snap ring, and the wave spring is held between the circular member and the snap ring; and the first gap is formed in one of the crest portions.