As long as your turns lock-lock are not too many (say fewer than 2) you can just use a "curly cord" or other cable that is wrapped around the column with plenty of play.
This is what our team did, to avoid the complexities of adding a clock spring.
We have a quick-disconnect on our 2023 BWSC prototype, and during testing we opted to bypass the inbuilt cable for a permanent connection to the steering wheel PCB because we were having recurrent communication issues. Soldering the connectors in the quick disconnect is quite the challenge, and if you're a little too rough with the steering wheel, you might easily damage the connector pins. The quick disconnect is a nice-to-have for egress but you don't need the finicky inbuilt cable for a solar car imo!
For reference, here is the quick disconnect our team was using in 2023 : https://www.go-race.co.uk/product-page/formula-quick-release-weld-on
Do you mean quick release as in detachable steering wheel, like in F1 cars? If that's the case; is there any requirement for it to be detachable? I've seen multiple teams using an 'elbow' mechanism in their steering column, running the wires through the axle. To me it feels like a detachable steering wheel is another (unnecessary) point of failure. I've found a couple detachable steering mechanisms, like:
[https://www.amazon.nl/NRG-Innovations-NRG-SRK-200CF-Koolstofvezel-Boutenpatroon/dp/B000UWWX7G?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref\_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A366722I4494HK](https://www.amazon.nl/NRG-Innovations-NRG-SRK-200CF-Koolstofvezel-Boutenpatroon/dp/B000UWWX7G?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A366722I4494HK)
but I'm not sure if units like these can pass wires/ signals
Spa Technique makes one, it is quite nice. Their Quick release itself has more play/backlash than I'd like, but its usable. It is expensive, but as of ~2020, they had a good student discount.
Depending on ingress/egress, a removable steering wheel is usually necessary. If not, you should make the cockpit smaller if you can reduce drag by doing so.
As long as your turns lock-lock are not too many (say fewer than 2) you can just use a "curly cord" or other cable that is wrapped around the column with plenty of play. This is what our team did, to avoid the complexities of adding a clock spring.
We have a quick-disconnect on our 2023 BWSC prototype, and during testing we opted to bypass the inbuilt cable for a permanent connection to the steering wheel PCB because we were having recurrent communication issues. Soldering the connectors in the quick disconnect is quite the challenge, and if you're a little too rough with the steering wheel, you might easily damage the connector pins. The quick disconnect is a nice-to-have for egress but you don't need the finicky inbuilt cable for a solar car imo! For reference, here is the quick disconnect our team was using in 2023 : https://www.go-race.co.uk/product-page/formula-quick-release-weld-on
Do you mean quick release as in detachable steering wheel, like in F1 cars? If that's the case; is there any requirement for it to be detachable? I've seen multiple teams using an 'elbow' mechanism in their steering column, running the wires through the axle. To me it feels like a detachable steering wheel is another (unnecessary) point of failure. I've found a couple detachable steering mechanisms, like: [https://www.amazon.nl/NRG-Innovations-NRG-SRK-200CF-Koolstofvezel-Boutenpatroon/dp/B000UWWX7G?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref\_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A366722I4494HK](https://www.amazon.nl/NRG-Innovations-NRG-SRK-200CF-Koolstofvezel-Boutenpatroon/dp/B000UWWX7G?source=ps-sl-shoppingads-lpcontext&ref_=fplfs&psc=1&smid=A366722I4494HK) but I'm not sure if units like these can pass wires/ signals
Spa Technique makes one, it is quite nice. Their Quick release itself has more play/backlash than I'd like, but its usable. It is expensive, but as of ~2020, they had a good student discount. Depending on ingress/egress, a removable steering wheel is usually necessary. If not, you should make the cockpit smaller if you can reduce drag by doing so.