Deprived of the scenes familiar to all of us for switching gears. This function has been transferred to small handles that peek out from behind the steering wheel. They have a slightly strange and not every driver understandable name “shift paddles”. This innovation is worth studying in detail, as more and more automakers equip their new products with this element.
Paddle shifters allow you to change gear without taking your hand off the steering wheel
How did these strange devices come about?
Many of the innovations that drivers successfully use have appeared thanks to sports competitions involving sports cars. This is also what happened with the new mechanisms for high speed switching concentrated near the steering wheel. For the first time, paddle shifters appeared on the models of the Italian manufacturer Ferrari. Due to these devices, riders received important advantage in front of other competitors - the ability to keep your hands on the steering wheel in order to. All their attention was focused on the road, which increased the chances of winning and increased safety for the driver. Since that time, not only racing drivers began to use paddle systems, but also ordinary drivers got this opportunity by buying production models from the modern automobile industry.
This mechanism is presented in the form of a pair of small plastic levers that are located behind the wheel. Their use is convenient not only for the driver, but also for the passenger sitting in front.
Principle of operation and process of use
When the user presses the petal, a signal is transmitted to the control system that is installed. The electronic unit activates the automatic transmission solenoids, as a result of which the gear ratio changes. Automation activates the necessary gear. There are no drives connected to the petals, since the electronics are responsible for everything. This feature allows you to not be limited in choosing a place to install the petals, but still the most successful and optimal in many respects is the stalk area.
Modern ones, on which only two clutches are installed, can boast of a similar mechanism. Traditional automatic transmissions are equipped with similar system less often. If the steering column transmission control system is not used for a long time, then the automation turns it off and activates the normal mode for controlling the gearbox.
The paddle shifters are plastic levers. Most of all, the convenience of using the paddle shifter is felt during active driving. For example, the driver needs to overtake. This maneuver will require a sharp increase in speed. The automatic shift mode will work in its usual mode, and the use of the petals will allow you to increase the engine speed and change gears at the power limits. power unit. This control reduces the likelihood of accidents during overtaking, which often happen with cars with automatic transmission.
Many automakers are working on improving the paddle control mechanisms of automatic transmission. Good option presented the designers who worked on the Mazda 6. On the steering column of this car, not only petals are installed, but also levers to reduce speed limit. Thus, the user can fully control the speed of his movement with one hand.
Paddle mechanism for manual transmission
Paddle shifters have always been associated only with automatic transmission. It was a normal occurrence, and no one even thought about connecting the petal mechanism to the manual transmission. Surprised by the Americans, who presented their invention to the public. They replaced manual transmission on the steering column paddle system. The wings are not used while driving, but the traditional ones remain. Adapters are used to connect the drive and gearbox.
Can be expected serial production such cars, the popularity of which is already beyond doubt.
Advantages and disadvantages of petals
With the paddle shifter, the driver can not be distracted from the control of the vehicle and not remove his hand from the steering wheel to make a maneuver on the road. This is the main advantage that experts and users of cars with petals highlight. In addition, they look great and transform the interior of the car.
Unfortunately, there are also downsides. It's worth starting with high cost, which can be a weighty argument for refusing to buy a car. The user of a vehicle with a petal mechanism will have to completely entrust the control process computer systems. And this is not for every driver.
Innovations make our lives more convenient and safer. They do not need to be rejected and shunned. If you can afford a car with paddle shifters to control the transmission, then do so.
Today, most of the usual low-budget cars you see on city roads are equipped with the familiar gear shifter. But, it is enough for you to drive one of expensive cars, as quite unusual small handles sticking out behind the steering wheel immediately catch your eye. This is the gearshift paddles. True, they are not located under the steering wheel, but directly behind it.
Today we will tell you what the steering wheel paddles are for when they were first installed on production cars, all the advantages and disadvantages, as well as how to use the steering wheel paddles.
The history of the appearance of paddle shifters
If you know something about cars, then you should be well aware that most of the usual security systems and improving driving comfort were born in the world of motorsport. The same story with paddle shifters.
They were first used back in the eighties of the last century on Formula cars. Their appearance was due to the replacement of conventional gearboxes with electromechanical gearboxes. Thus, it was necessary to come up with an option that allows you to shift gears in a completely different, fundamentally new way. It was required that the rider during the ride could change gears without taking his hands off the wheel. It was also a security issue, as incredible speeds Formulas require maximum concentration of the rider on the track.
Ferrari pioneered the use of paddle shifters. They quickly realized that paddles could give their riders an undeniable advantage while still providing maximum safety. However, to understand the same thing, it took other teams only a few months. On the this moment all cars are not only equipped with petals at the request of the riders and designers themselves, but are simply obliged to use them according to the regulations. As you understand, after such innovations in racing, paddle shifters for gear shifting very quickly migrated to ordinary production cars.
How to use the paddle shifters?
In order to understand how to use the petals, you have to understand how they generally work.
The whole process initiates pressing the paddle shifter, which signals the system's control unit that you are changing gear. Automation immediately exposes the requested gear. Thus, the petal itself has no connection with the gearbox, that is, it does not connect directly to it in any way. Manages everything directly electronic program. You can most often find petals on relatively new boxes with two clutches. Traditional gearboxes with familiar automatic transmission cannot always be effectively crossed with a paddle shift system.
It should be noted that there are several options for switching to manual mode using the petals. It all depends on the brand of the car and the manufacturer of the system. So, sometimes it’s enough just to press the petal so that the gear shifts immediately. There are models that require a separate choice from the driver manual mode via dashboard, after which it becomes possible to use the paddle shifters.
Main advantages and disadvantages
pros
How well the petals work, you can feel during a dynamic ride. For example, when you are going to overtake the car in front, you do not have to be distracted from the road - the automatic transmission will independently figure out the shift, and with the help of paddle shifters you can easily spin up the engine speed, intervening in the process on your own in a matter of fractions of a second and significantly increasing the level car acceleration.
So, the most important plus and argument in favor of using the paddles is that you don’t have to take your hands off the steering wheel to quickly change gears. This, in particular, is about throwing off the transmission during overtaking. It may seem to experienced drivers that the problem is far-fetched, but according to statistics, more than 70% of drivers do not have a sufficient level of driving to simultaneously keep an eye on the road and manually shift gears. This is especially evident during emergency and emergency situations on the high speed. The situation is aggravated by the fact that cars are becoming faster and more powerful every year. Paddle shift paddles can seriously increase the level of safety behind the wheel of such cars.
If we talk about the visual component, then the petals fit perfectly into any interior, making it more stylish and concise. It should be noted that for many the interior of the cabin is often of great importance.
Minuses
Undoubtedly, where there are pluses, there are also minuses. Paddle shifters are no exception. The first minus can be called disrespect for traditions. Many experienced drivers believe that the main thing when driving is to feel the car and fully control it. With a conventional manual transmission, this is quite possible even on modern cars. The system of petals almost completely gives the process of gear shifting into the hands of computer programs. And this greatly interferes with some who are not used to such "self-will" of electronics. The difference is especially noticeable during high-speed driving, when competent regassing and a clear gear reset are usually required. In this matter, the petals are not able to compete with the usual mechanics handle.
Also, the disadvantages include the cost of not only the purchase, but also the maintenance of the steering wheel paddle system. Gearboxes that have a mode manual switching, in comparison even with semi-automatic boxes, quite expensive for the average driver. On the other hand, given that most of the cars equipped with paddle shifters are premium, their owners are unlikely to care much about the cost of just one of them. expensive systems in your car.
Gearshift paddles have previously been used exclusively in powerful race cars, allowing the driver to keep their hands on the steering wheel and improve acceleration by precious fractions of a second. But times have changed and today similar technical solutions are already available on the new Ford Escape and even a minivan.
Design features and scope of its application
The idea itself to move the automatic transmission shift lever to the steering column is not at all new; since the middle of the last century in the United States, the vast majority of cars have been equipped with just such a mechanism. So paddle shifters are just a logical development of the design in accordance with modern realities.
In most cases, this innovative approach does not find adequate support in the form of consumer demand, because people do not want to change their own habits. The fact is that on a subconscious level, first of all, questions arise about the reliability of the design, as well as the possibility of using traditional turn signals and the risk of hitting the gear lever.
“In any case, a certain percentage of buyers will want to buy a car with this particular design”, says Erich Heushle, engineer Fiat Chrysler automobiles. He is working on the SRT FCA racing brand with the people in charge of making cars like the 707 hp Dodge Hellcat. Heuschle is also one of the members of the FCA's elite group of engineers, which was formed to test the designed Vehicle to the limit of their ability. That is, he has the right to make his proposals to the design until it meets his high requirements. “Shift paddles are now seen as more of a luxury or a driving convenience feature than a high-performance design, all thanks to the fine-tuned mechanics of the automatics.”, - he said. “We put a lot of effort into ensuring that the automation functions perfectly.”
In most cars, such switches are used to facilitate the process of control and quickly select the desired gear. Typically, the lever right side from the steering wheel is used to shift to an overdrive, and to the left - to a lower gear. Vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission may have other methods of shifting, such as using the buttons on the selector, or shifting to manual mode and selecting a step using a lever.
"You can use paddle shifters along with cruise control to keep the engine at a specific rpm" Heusle explained, adding that performance might be the most popular reason for using such a mechanism. It is worth noting that he has vast experience in designing sports cars mobile, so technical side The issue is rather due to the desire to realize the full potential of the machine being created.
He told that in automatic mode eight-speed ZF installed in the Challenger SRT Hellcat, capable of shifting in just 160 milliseconds, which is quite fast and can even compete with some cars with double clutch, which are often cited as the fastest vehicles on sale.
For reference: Bugatti Veyron able to budge in 8ms, while Nissan GTR does it in 150ms. But sport and the pursuit of record-breaking performance are not the only areas of application for gear shift paddles.
In fact, Heuschle explained that most of the statistics that SRT gives in its releases are achieved on the car in automatic mode. “I want shifters to be completely redundant,” he said, explaining that manual shifting for such cars might not be the most efficient. “On the tracks we test our products on, this is a redundant feature. But then again, not all roads look like our model ranges, and as a result, we still need to use manual switches.”
He also explained that on the racing strip, where the SRT Hellcat is the leader in most terms, the automatic mode is the most fast method reaching the finish line. Hellcat accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in the middle of the operating range of the third gear. A National hot rod Association (NHRA) documented the official quarter mile in 11.2 seconds with civilian tires, or 10.8 seconds with radial tires with reduced rolling resistance, “Hellcat has passed NHRA certification by operating exclusively in automatic mode,” Heuschle said.
Manual mode as an objective necessity
If we ignore the issues of accelerating dynamics and performance improvement, then there is a more practical application of the design of the paddle shifters. Expert in creation trucks Stephen Elmer commented on it like this: “When towing a heavy trailer, especially on long descents or uphills, it may be necessary to make shifts, and it is advisable to keep your hands on the steering wheel to maintain control over the behavior of the car.”
When driving SUVs or crossovers equipped with paddle shifters, such as a Jeep Grand Cherokee or , drivers can use the quick shift switches when approaching a hill to maintain constant acceleration. The reverse is also true: they can manually brake the car on a long downhill or approaching a traffic jam. Automation cannot see the hills and analyze the upcoming situation, so changing gears in anticipation of an ascent or descent will make more efficient use of the vehicle's resources.
Heusle explains that engine braking, which may not damage the expensive transmission. "We are ready, according to the needs of customers, to equip cars with such switches", he said. “At the same time, automation will not allow you to switch to downshift when the engine RPM is close to maximum. He added that SRT and ZF are doing a lot of testing to ensure the transmissions can handle the rigors of everyday use.
“Endurance tests are carried out in manual mode, which allows us to guarantee a high resource of components and assemblies.” The designer told how these tests are carried out and what loads the most critical elements are subjected to. “We do 50 lane passes with the stiffest tires and then 50 with low rolling resistance radials, both teams going as aggressively as possible.”
It is worth noting that until recently, paddle shifters were the prerogative of automatic transmissions, but this year Master Shift designers presented a development in the field of mechanical to the general public. At the same time, the clutch pedal is retained in the car, but the stage selection is controlled by electrified paddle shifters.
Another example of the expediency of automating the process of gear shifting is movement along snow covered road. Most automatics will allow the car to start in second gear instead of first, which will limit the amount of torque sent to the drive wheels and also help prevent wheel slip or loss of traction on snow.
Most vehicles can be equipped with a rough terrain mode that automatically does the same, but paddle shifters allow the driver to control the process. According to Heischle, switches are when you want to be in control. Driving a car is a labor-intensive process, the automation of which makes it possible to achieve best results However, the current level of technology does not yet allow us to fully foresee all possible situations.. And these situations, as a rule, are connected with the preferences of the driver.
So, if you are not satisfied with the operation of the automatic transmission, do it yourself, do not be afraid to take control.
Imagine that you spent your whole life behind the steering wheel of budget cars, and the gears were changed in a traditional backstage mechanical box. And suddenly you find yourself in the driver's seat of a modern premium car. The first thing you will see in front of you is a steering wheel covered with expensive leather, behind which strange handles will stick out. This is nothing more than paddle shifters. Although they are called paddles, in fact they are located immediately behind the steering wheel, and not under it.
These devices are designed to simplify the process of driving a car.
So what are these petals for? When did they first appear on cars? What are the pros and cons they have?
Like many technical solutions familiar to us today, paddle shifters were born in the world of motorsport. Toward the end of the 80s of the last century, new electromechanical gearboxes began to be installed in Formula 1 cars, instead of the usual mechanical ones. And this allowed manufacturers to use fundamentally new way gear changes. Namely, without taking your hands off the wheel. Indeed, in the world of the Royal races, such speeds reign. where you can't take your eyes off the road even for a second. Otherwise, the rider runs the risk of being off the track, sticking out in a concrete wall.
The first team to introduce paddles was the Italian Ferrari. Assessing the benefits and safety of the new technical solution, other teams have also equipped their cars with similar devices. Since then, Formula 1 racers have used petals exclusively.
Pressing the petal transmits a signal to the gearbox control unit. after which the automation sets the gear you need. Thus, no switching drives are connected directly to the petals, everything is controlled by electronics. Most often, modern double-clutch boxes are equipped with a similar mechanism; petals are less common on traditional automatic transmissions.
Video of how they work:
The activation of the manual shift mode in automatic transmissions occurs in different ways. On some, it is enough to immediately press the petal to change gear. In others, you must first select the manual gear change mode, and only after that you will be able to use the petals.
Pros and cons of paddle shifters
Probably the most a big plus in the use of the paddles is that the driver does not need to remove his hand from the steering wheel in order to quickly throw down the gear when overtaking. Unfortunately, not all modern drivers possess necessary level skill in order to control both the situation on the road and the process of changing gear manually. And given the fact that cars are becoming more powerful and faster, paddle shifters are becoming a real panacea for such would-be drivers.
Another plus is that such systems look great. They actually make the interior of the car visually more attractive and modern. Some of the petals look like the controls of a spaceship.
And now for the cons. They are most noticeable for those drivers who like to participate in the process of driving a car, and not trust the computer to do all the work. For such people, shifting with a traditional handle is a special ritual, an integral part of all driving. And the trouble is that many automotive manufacturers today they cease to equip their models with the usual mechanics, increasingly preferring automatic transmissions with the possibility of manual gear shifting. But nothing can replace the pleasure of a competent regassing on the way to the next turn and a clear gear reset
Of the minuses, it is also worth noting the high cost of servicing boxes with manual switching modes. However, if you can afford a car worth several million rubles, you are unlikely to care about such trifles. But for those who are used to counting money, this will be a weighty argument.
P.S. Write to us in the comments, have you ever dealt with petals? If yes, please describe your experience.
Not all drivers can answer the question - shift paddles - what is it and how are they more convenient than conventional systems? Let's try to fill this gap and tell you more about this gearshift system, since, according to many, they have a great future.
The idea of placing gearshift levers on the steering wheel was first implemented on sports cars. Similar designs appeared in the eighties of the last century on fireballs participating in Formula 1 races. The very first team to install paddle shifters on a racing car was Ferrari. Later, these systems began to be installed on racing cars other brands, and after some time they appeared on ordinary serial machines.
More actively, the petal gear design began to be used after the advent of systems like Tiptronic. This auxiliary automatic transmission option provides the ability to change gear ratio at the discretion of the driver. The required speed is selected by the driver, and the Tiptronic directly engages the desired gear. Switch automatic box, equipped with a Tiptronic transmission system, has an additional track where the lever moves and manual gear shifting is activated. Similar transmission systems were first installed in the early nineties on some Porsche models.
In essence, the paddles are a pair of plastic levers, when pressed, the gears are switched. They are located under the steering wheel, which is extremely convenient not only for the driver, but also for the passenger in the front seat.
The convenience of such shift paddles is especially felt when driving actively, for example, when you need to increase speed during overtaking. V this case automation will begin to switch speeds in normal mode, and the use of paddle shifters will make it possible to spin the motor, changing the gear at the limit of its power to increase acceleration. Considering how often accidents happen during overtaking, such petals are a good help for the driver.
During squeezing, a signal is transmitted from the lever to the electronic unit, which activates the automatic transmission solenoids, and the gear ratio changes. The driver of the car only needs to choose the moment of switching, and the computer, using electric drives, will automatically turn on desired speed. The fact that the drives are not directly connected to the paddle shifters makes it possible to place them anywhere, but the paddle shifter is still the most suitable. There are alternatives to these designs. For example, on the Mazda sixth series steering column equipped not only with a pair of petals, but also with speed reduction levers on both sides. This is done so that the driver has the ability to both increase and decrease speed with one hand.
Switching on manual control in various designs can be done either by simply pressing the petals, or by selecting this mode on the main selector. If the petals are not used for a long time, then special systems automatically transfer the transmission to normal control mode.
Until recently, paddle shifters were installed only on automatic transmissions. But the designers of the Master Shift company from the United States at the Las Vegas auto show demonstrated an innovative and quite promising concept in this direction. Their invention makes it possible to replace the box with manual control on a system with paddle shifters. Three pedals remain in the car, but the traditional manual transmission handle is not used. The drive unit and the box are connected by means of adapters. Under the clutch pedal there is a special sensor that detects the opening of the discs, and then with the help of a petal, a selection is made necessary transfer. After depressing the clutch pedal, the discs are separated, electric drive brings the required stage and the disks are closed.
Designers have installed special systems that block the electric drive during selection reverse speed if the vehicle is moving forward.
It is quite likely that in soon cars equipped with such a gearshift system will be mass-produced.
This video shows how the Mazda 6 is controlled using the steering column paddles.
Paddle shifters - another way to shift gears
The idea is to place the gear levers on the steering wheel stock car came from motorsport. In the late 80s of the last century, Formula 1 racing cars began to be equipped with electromechanical gearshift systems. The first formula team to launch a paddle car out of the paddock was Ferrari. Since then, the petals have become entrenched in the design of racing cars. Over time, they appeared on civilian cars.
The spread of the petals was preceded by the appearance of a Tiptronic type system.
This additional option The automatic transmission allows the driver to change gear ratios at will. The moment of switching is chosen by the driver, and Tiptronic is engaged in the implementation. The selector of automatic transmissions equipped with Tiptronic has an additional track where the lever can be moved, thereby activating manual gear shifting. Such boxes appeared in 1990 on the 911th Porsche model.
In fact, such petals are two plastic levers, by clicking on which you can change gears. They are placed on the steering column, which is very convenient for both the driver and the passenger.
The advantages of the paddle shifters can also be felt in dynamic driving, for example, when it is necessary to accelerate to overtake. In this case, the “automatic” will shift gears in the normal mode, and the use of the petals will allow the engine to spin up, changing the gear at the peak of its power, which will increase the intensity of acceleration.
Considering how often accidents occur precisely when overtaking, the paddle shifters really seem like a breath of fresh air for the motorist.
Pressing the lever transmits a signal to the control unit, which activates the solenoids of the automatic box and the gear ratio changes. The driver chooses only the moment of switching, and the process of changing gear is carried out by electric drives under computer control. The absence of drives directly to the petals allows you to place them anywhere, but the most convenient location is just under the steering wheel.
There are variations of such systems:
Mazda 6 Series vehicles are equipped with wheel not only with two paddles, but also with downshift levers on each side. This is done so that the driver can both upshift and downshift using only one hand.
Activating the manual shift mode in different designs can be done by pressing the petals, or by selecting this mode on the main selector. If the paddles are not used by the driver for a certain period of time, then some systems can automatically put the box into automatic switching mode.
Until recently, when mentioning paddle shifters, you didn’t have to think about what type of gearbox you were talking about. However, engineers American company Master Shift has changed the rules of the game. At the 2012 SEMA tuning show in Las Vegas, a system was introduced that allows you to replace manual box gears, to a transmission with electronic paddle shifters. At the same time, the car remains with three pedals, but the usual manual transmission lever is not used. The essence of the invention is that the drive unit is connected to the box through adapters. A sensor is installed under the clutch pedal, which records the moment the clutch discs open. Selected by clicking a petal desired gear, then the electronics waits for the clutch to be pressed, and as soon as the discs are disconnected, the electric drive brings the desired stage and the driver closes the discs by releasing the pedal.
The developers have provided special systems that block the electric drive when choosing a gear reversing when driving forward at a speed of over 1.6 km/h.
It is possible that soon cars with a similar gearshift system will go into mass production.
Imagine that you spent your whole life behind the steering wheel of budget cars, and the gears were changed by the traditional backstage of a manual gearbox. And suddenly you find yourself in the driver's seat of a modern premium car. The first thing you will see in front of you is a steering wheel covered with expensive leather, behind which strange handles will stick out. This is nothing more than paddle shifters. Although they are called paddles, in fact they are located immediately behind the steering wheel, and not under it.
These devices are designed to simplify the process of driving a car.
So what are these petals for? When did they first appear on cars? What are the pros and cons they have?
Like many technical solutions familiar to us today, paddle shifters were born in the world of motorsport. Toward the end of the 80s of the last century, new electromechanical gearboxes began to be installed in Formula 1 cars, instead of the usual mechanical ones. And this allowed manufacturers to use a fundamentally new way to change gears. Namely, without taking your hands off the wheel. Indeed, in the world of the Royal races, such speeds reign. where you can't take your eyes off the road even for a second. Otherwise, the rider runs the risk of being off the track, sticking out in a concrete wall.
The first team to introduce paddles was the Italian Ferrari. Assessing the benefits and safety of the new technical solution, other teams have also equipped their cars with similar devices. Since then, Formula 1 racers have used petals exclusively.
Pressing the petal transmits a signal to the gearbox control unit. after which the automation sets the gear you need. Thus, no switching drives are connected directly to the petals, everything is controlled by electronics. Most often, modern double-clutch boxes are equipped with a similar mechanism; petals are less common on traditional automatic transmissions.
Video of how they work:
The activation of the manual shift mode in automatic transmissions occurs in different ways. On some, it is enough to immediately press the petal to change gear. In others, you must first select the manual gear change mode, and only after that you will be able to use the petals.
Pros and cons of paddle shifters
Probably the biggest benefit of using the paddles is that the driver doesn't have to take their hand off the steering wheel in order to quickly downshift when overtaking. Unfortunately, not all modern drivers have the necessary level of skill in order to simultaneously control the situation on the road and the process of changing gear manually. And given the fact that cars are becoming more powerful and faster, paddle shifters are becoming a real panacea for such would-be drivers.
Another plus is that such systems look great. They actually make the interior of the car visually more attractive and modern. Some of the petals look like the controls of a spaceship.
And now for the cons. They are most noticeable for those drivers who like to participate in the process of driving a car, and not trust the computer to do all the work. For such people, shifting with a traditional handle is a special ritual, an integral part of all driving. And the trouble is that many car manufacturers today cease to equip their models with the usual mechanics, increasingly preferring automatic transmissions with the possibility of manual gear shifting. But nothing can replace the pleasure of a competent regassing on the way to the next turn and a clear gear reset
Of the minuses, it is also worth noting the high cost of servicing boxes with manual switching modes. However, if you can afford a car worth several million rubles, you are unlikely to care about such trifles. But for those who are used to counting money, this will be a weighty argument.
P.S. Write to us in the comments, have you ever dealt with petals? If yes, please describe your experience.
Not all drivers can answer the question - shift paddles - what is it and how are they more convenient than conventional systems? Let's try to fill this gap and tell you more about this gearshift system, since, according to many, they have a great future.
The idea of placing gearshift levers on the steering wheel was first implemented on sports cars. Similar designs appeared in the eighties of the last century on fireballs participating in Formula 1 races. The very first team to install paddle shifters on a racing car was Ferrari. Later, these systems began to be installed on racing cars of other brands, and after a while they appeared on ordinary production cars.
More actively, the petal gear design began to be used after the advent of systems like Tiptronic. This auxiliary automatic transmission option provides the ability to change the gear ratio at the discretion of the driver. The required speed is selected by the driver, and the Tiptronic directly engages the desired gear. The automatic transmission switch, equipped with the Tiptronic transmission system, has an additional track where the lever moves and the manual gear shift is activated. Similar transmission systems were first installed in the early nineties on some Porsche models.
In essence, the paddles are a pair of plastic levers, when pressed, the gears are switched. They are located under the steering wheel, which is extremely convenient not only for the driver, but also for the passenger in the front seat.
The convenience of such shift paddles is especially felt when driving actively, for example, when you need to increase speed during overtaking. In this case, the automation will begin to switch speeds in normal mode, and the use of paddle shifters will make it possible to spin the motor, changing the gear at the limit of its power to increase acceleration. Considering how often accidents happen during overtaking, such petals are a good help for the driver.
During the squeeze, a signal is transmitted from the lever to the electronic unit that activates the automatic transmission solenoids, and the gear ratio changes. The driver of the car only needs to choose the moment of switching, and the computer, using electric drives, will automatically turn on the desired speed. The fact that the drives are not directly connected to the paddle shifters makes it possible to place them anywhere, but the paddle shifter is still the most suitable. There are alternatives to these designs. For example, on the Mazda sixth series, the steering column is equipped not only with a pair of paddles, but also with speed reduction levers on both sides. This is done so that the driver has the ability to both increase and decrease speed with one hand.
The inclusion of manual control in various designs can occur either by simply pressing the petals, or by selecting this mode on the main selector. If the petals are not used for a long time, then special systems will automatically transfer the transmission to the normal control mode.
Until recently, paddle shifters were only fitted to automatic transmissions. But the designers of the Master Shift company from the United States at the Las Vegas auto show demonstrated an innovative and quite promising concept in this direction. Their invention makes it possible to replace a manual box with a system with paddle shifters. Three pedals remain in the car, but the traditional manual transmission handle is not used. The drive unit and the box are connected by means of adapters. Under the clutch pedal there is a special sensor that detects the opening of the discs, and then with the help of a petal, the required gear is selected. After depressing the clutch pedal, the discs are separated, the electric drive brings the required step and the discs are closed.
The designers have installed special systems that block the electric drive during reverse gear selection if the car is moving forward.
It is likely that in the near future cars equipped with such a gearshift system will be mass-produced.
This video shows how the Mazda 6 is controlled using the steering column paddles.
Paddle shifters - another way to shift gears
The idea to put gear levers on the steering wheel of a production car came from motorsport. In the late 80s of the last century, Formula 1 racing cars began to be equipped with electromechanical gearshift systems. The first formula team to launch a paddle car out of the paddock was Ferrari. Since then, the petals have become entrenched in the design of racing cars. Over time, they appeared on civilian cars.
The spread of the petals was preceded by the appearance of a Tiptronic type system.
This optional automatic transmission option allows the driver to change gear ratios as they see fit. The moment of switching is chosen by the driver, and Tiptronic is engaged in the implementation. The selector of automatic transmissions equipped with Tiptronic has an additional track where the lever can be moved, thereby activating manual gear shifting. Such boxes appeared in 1990 on the 911th Porsche model.
In fact, such petals are two plastic levers, by clicking on which you can change gears. They are placed on the steering column, which is very convenient for both the driver and the passenger.
The advantages of the paddle shifters can also be felt in dynamic driving, for example, when it is necessary to accelerate to overtake. In this case, the “automatic” will shift gears in the normal mode, and the use of the petals will allow the engine to spin up, changing the gear at the peak of its power, which will increase the intensity of acceleration.
Considering how often accidents occur precisely when overtaking, the paddle shifters really seem like a breath of fresh air for the motorist.
Pressing the lever transmits a signal to the control unit, which activates the solenoids of the automatic box and the gear ratio changes. The driver chooses only the moment of switching, and the process of changing gear is carried out by electric drives under computer control. The absence of drives directly to the petals allows you to place them anywhere, but the most convenient location is just under the steering wheel.
There are variations of such systems:
Mazda 6 series cars equip the steering wheel not only with two paddles, but also with downshift levers on each side. This is done so that the driver can both upshift and downshift using only one hand.
Activation of the manual switching mode in different designs can be done by pressing the petals, or by selecting this mode on the main selector. If the paddles are not used by the driver for a certain period of time, then some systems can automatically put the box into automatic switching mode.
Until recently, when mentioning paddle shifters, you didn’t have to think about what type of gearbox you were talking about. However, the engineers of the American company Master Shift have changed the rules of the game. At the SEMA tuning show in Las Vegas in 2012, a system was introduced that allows you to replace a manual gearbox with a transmission with electronic paddle shifters. At the same time, the car remains with three pedals, but the usual manual transmission lever is not used. The essence of the invention is that the drive unit is connected to the box through adapters. A sensor is installed under the clutch pedal, which records the moment the clutch discs open. The desired gear is selected with a click of the petal, then the electronics wait for the clutch to be pressed, and as soon as the discs are disconnected, the electric drive brings the desired stage and the driver closes the discs by releasing the pedal.
The developers have provided special systems that block the electric drive when the reverse gear is selected when moving forward at a speed of over 1.6 km / h.
It is possible that soon cars with a similar gearshift system will go into mass production.
