VRS Transitioning to the New QR Connect System
VRS® Racing
December 13, 2024
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3 mins read
The VRS Version 1 "Krontec-style" quick release (QR) has frequently been out of stock due to challenges in the manufacturing process.
The issue lies in its precise, ultra-fine curved surface tolerances, which are difficult to maintain consistently during mass production.
When developing our next-generation products—the DFP15 Wheel Base and R295 Steering Wheel—we wanted to incorporate electrical connectivity via the QR system while avoiding vendor lock-in. Our goal was to create a flexible and open ecosystem.
Looking at the market, we quickly identified the NRG-style QR as an emerging industry standard. Its low cost, reliability, and ability to pass through data made it an attractive choice. With these advantages in mind, we decided to explore this design for our new QR system.
Addressing Challenges with the NRG-Style QR
One downside of the NRG-style QR is its susceptibility to misalignment during wheel attachment. If the wheel isn’t aligned perfectly when mounted, it can rotate slightly before locking into place.
This misalignment causes the spring-loaded pins used for data transmission to slide against the mating PCB in a compressed state, exposing them to torsional forces. Over time, this can lead to:
Premature wear and bending of the pins
Intermittent data or power connection issues
This behavior didn’t meet our reliability standards, so we set out to improve the design.
The VRS QR Connect: Designed for Precision and Compatibility
To solve this problem, we added alignment features to the design:
- Grooves on the motor side
- Bumpers on the wheel side
These features ensure the steering wheel can only be attached in its correct orientation. This alignment prevents unnecessary stress on the spring-loaded pins, enabling reliable operation.
We also wanted to maintain compatibility with other manufacturers’ products that use the base NRG-style design. Here’s how compatibility works:
- To mount the R295 Steering Wheel to another manufacturer’s NRG-style QR, simply remove the bumpers by unscrewing two screws.
- Other manufacturers’ NRG-style QR-equipped steering wheels can be used with our DFP15 Wheel Base without modification. However, always ensure the wheel is inserted in its correct orientation.
For full backward compatibility, we’ve included silicone inserts with your wheelbase. By covering the grooves with these inserts, you can prevent locking in any specific orientation, making our QR system fully compatible with the base NRG-style design.
What’s Next?
Stay tuned for the next article, where we’ll dive deeper into the electrical connectivity of our new QR system.
