Steering wheel connector for automotive simulator

A steering wheel for an automotive simulator, comprising:

• a distal end having a first adapter element comprising a first electrical contact surface facing in a direction perpendicular to the steering axle;
• wherein the first adapter element is configured to slide against a second adapter element formed in a proximal end of a steering axle of the automotive simulator and comprising a second electrical contact surface;
• and
• further wherein the first adapter element is configured to slide along a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the steering axle until a coupling position with the second adapter element has been reached in which a central axis of the steering wheel is aligned with a central axis of the steering axle, and the first and second electrical contact surfaces make contact with each other to establish an electrical connection between the steering wheel and the steering axle of the automotive simulator.

An automotive simulator including a steering wheel adapter system comprising:

• a steering wheel;
• a first adapter element configured to connect to a distal end of the steering wheel, the first adapter element comprising a first contact surface;
• a steering axle;
• and
• a second adapter element configured to connect to a proximal end of the steering axle, the second adapter element comprising a second contact surface;
• wherein the first adapter element and the second adapter element are configured to slide against each other along a plane that is substantially perpendicular to the steering axle until a coupling position is reached in which a central axis of the steering wheel is aligned with a central axis of the steering axle;
• wherein the first contact surface includes at least one of a first electrical contact surface, a first optical contact surface, and a first partial electrical-partial optical contact surface;
• wherein the second contact surface includes at least one of a second electrical contact surface facing in a direction perpendicular to the steering axle, a second optical contact surface, and a second partial electrical-partial optical contact surface;
• and
• wherein at least one of the first contact surface and at least one of the second contact surface make contact with each other to establish an electrical connection, an optical connection, or both between the steering wheel and the steering axle of the automotive simulator.