What Is the Purpose of a Crankshaft?
A crankshaft is a component in car engines that converts linear motion into rotary motion. Through a series of connected components, this motion then moves the vehicle’s wheels so that the vehicle can move forward.
A crankshaft (also called a crank) comprises several parts that work together to cause a car’s wheels to move in a circular motion. The pistons and the flywheel are the two main parts that cause the crankshaft to rotate in circular motion.
A car engine creates explosions inside it by burning air and fuel. The force of the explosions causes the pistons to move up and push against the crankshaft. The shaft then turns and pushes the pistons back down so that the next engine explosion forces the pistons back up again. The cycle continues for as long as the car has fuel to burn to create the explosions.
The flywheel attached to the end of the crank helps to smooth out the jerky motions caused by the movement of the pistons. The flywheel also delivers the power generated from this cycle to the car’s drivetrain via the gearbox.
The crankshaft withstands enormous pressure from the pistons, and for that reason, car engines are normally designed in a V-shape so that the shaft is made smaller
