SS2, THE ELECTRONIC GEARSHIFT ON THE STEERING WHEEL FOR KARTS

The physical effort to drive a KZ kart is much higher than that required to drive a single-speed kart: you often find yourself having to handle the steering wheel with only your left hand while changing gears with the other, even in demanding situations such as getting away from other karts or coming out of a bend. This is why systems such as The Lab S22 (about 600 Euros) were developed, an electro-actuated gearbox that is placed on the market among other comparable products precisely because they are not purely mechanical, but equipped with an electrical/electronic component, such as the Mechatron Me Shifter F1 (about 1,100 Euros) and the My power shift (from 1,220 Euros). The fact that it is electro-implemented prevents it from being used in competitions in practically 99% of the national and international classes recognised by the Federations belonging to the FIA, except for KZ1. Therefore, it is mainly used by hobbyists or “gentlemen” drivers who train in karts to prepare for racing in cars with gearboxes at the wheel. The SS2 consists of 4 main elements. First of all, the [1] paddles unit on the steering wheel, laser cut from a stainless-steel sheet, finished with a carbon-like adhesive film. It consists of a [1.1] universal rectangular support which is positioned between the hub and the steering wheel. To this are connected [1.2] two levers (the right one to go up a gear, the left one to downshift) mounted on [1.3] hinges in sturdy PETG (plastic for 3D printing) which incorporate the microswitches that send the impulse to shift. The electrical system is plug & play and offers an IP67 degree of protection (therefore it is watertight in case it rains). [2] The wiring that connects to the paddles, at the opposite end connects to the [3] relay box that controls [4] the planetary actuator connected to the gearshift rod with the extensions included in the kit.