Our teams approach is to create a paddle shifting system that eliminates the need of a clutch and shifter lever, while keeping the driver’s hands on the steering wheel at all times and reducing the shifting time by 50%. High performance teams have adopted this system into their race cars and became an industry standard (for drivers to focus more on driving). A footprint constrain of 9″ x 7″ x 2″ is considered with the paddle shifters needing to sit behind the steering wheel. The system will be paired with an onboard computer that can read engine data, specifically, the motor rpm, current gear, & wheel speed. As the computer takes in data, it can rapidly change gears with a click on the paddle shifters. A set of pistons would engage the clutch lever and shifting lever which is controlled by the onboard computer through solenoids.

                             CAD of the Main Assembly of 2024-25 Competition Car   

With the goal of creating paddle shifters for FSAE, we expect to work around premade hardware which adds difficulty in our design phase. Through in-person data gathering, we will be able to gather dimensions, constraints, and expect the adjustments to made in our early design stages. In the development of the paddle shifters, we will keep in mind how the mechanical components fit onto the pre-existing vehicle, but we must also must consider the environment the components. Considering the parts will be on a functioning car, they must be able to withstand external forces as the car accelerates and decelerates, as well as the heat generated by the engine. If our components are near the engine, an analysis must be done to identify the heat’s effect on our design. Additionally, because the paddle shifters are expected to give a significant competitive advantage, they must have the longevity to be reused in future FSAE cars and abide by the FSAE rule book.