Patent ID: 7320658

Claim:
A rotating shaft support apparatus which includes a case that supports a rotating shaft via a structure in which the rotating shaft can rotate relative to the case, comprising: a support portion in which an insertion hole, into which the rotating shafts is inserted, is formed; a lubrication groove made during casting of the case and formed in the insertion hole, wherein the lubrication groove has at least two windings around a circumference of the insertion hole while advancing in the axial direction of the insertion hole and includes at least one perpendicular groove portion for each winding around the circumference of the insertion hole, wherein the perpendicular groove portion i) is farther to the outside than a perpendicular plane that is perpendicular to a center plane of the case on which lies the axial center of the insertion hole, the perpendicular plane including a line of intersection of the center plane and the insertion hole, and ii) is parallel to a plane which is perpendicular to the axial center of the insertion hole, and wherein each winding of the lubrication groove has an area of a cross-section that varies along a length of the groove.