Rotary connector

A rotary connector including a rod-shaped rotating side electrode rotatably supported by an external shell case and a fixed side electrode supported by the external shell case, the rotary connector comprising:

• a first fluorocarbon resin ring mounted to one end part of the fixed side electrode;
• a second fluorocarbon resin ring fitted onto an outer peripheral surface close to one end part of the rotating side electrode;
• and
• a cylindrical liquid impregnated member disposed between the first fluorocarbon resin ring and the second fluorocarbon resin ring so as to surround an outer peripheral surface of the first fluorocarbon resin ring and an outer peripheral surface of the second fluorocarbon resin ring,
• wherein the rotating side electrode and the fixed side electrode are disposed so that the one end parts of the electrodes face each other spaced apart to form a clearance therebetween,
• the first fluorocarbon resin ring surrounds the clearance formed between the one end part of the fixed side electrode and the one end part of the rotating side electrode and surrounds an outer peripheral surface of the rotating side electrode so as not to make contact with the outer peripheral surface of the rotating side electrode,
• one end part of the second fluorocarbon resin ring and one end part of the first fluorocarbon resin ring face each other spaced apart to form a clearance therebetween,
• the liquid impregnated member is impregnated with multivalent alcohol or high viscosity oil,
• liquid metal fills a region formed by the one end part of the fixed side electrode, the one end part of the rotating side electrode, an inner peripheral surface and the one end part of the first fluorocarbon resin ring, the one end part of the second fluorocarbon resin ring, and an inner peripheral surface of the liquid impregnated member, and
• the liquid impregnated member slidably makes contact with the outer peripheral surface of the second fluorocarbon resin ring having an inner peripheral surface fitted onto the outer peripheral surface of the rotating side electrode.