Patent ID: 7178985

Claim:
A bearing holding structure comprising: a bearing whose outer circumferential surface is formed in a spherical shape; first and second members having holding surfaces which extend axially in opposite directions to each other and between which the bearing is sandwiched, each of the holding surfaces being tapered axially to expand straight toward the opposing holding surface, wherein the first and second members have fixing surfaces which extend radially from the holding surfaces, respectively; a fastening structure on each of the fixing surfaces, wherein the fastening structures allow radial and relative movement of at least one of the first and second members with respect to the other of the first and second members prior to fastening the fastening structures for adjusting an axial alignment among the first and second members and the bearing, when the fixing surfaces come in contact with each other for sandwiching the bearing between the holding surfaces, and wherein the fixing surfaces are fixed to each other by deforming at least one of the fastening structure after the alignment to inhibit the radial and relative movement so that first and second members rigidly hold the bearing.