Ask the Chatbot Games & Quizzes History & Society Science & Tech Biographies Animals & Nature Geography & Travel Arts & Culture ProCon Money Videos
connecting rod
References
Images
internal-combustion engine: four-stroke cycle Diagram of a gasoline engine showing a cross-section of a piston and cylinder. Key parts such as the spark plug, valves, camshaft, piston, connecting rod, and crankshaft are labeled. Labeled cross-sectional diagram of a V-type gasoline engine for an automobile, showing internal components such as pistons, crankshaft, camshaft, intake and exhaust valves, connecting rods, spark plugs, and intake manifold.
Britannica AI Icon

connecting rod

engineering
Written by
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The Information Architects maintain a master list of the topics included in the corpus of  Encyclopædia Britannica, and create and manage the relationships between them.
The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Last updated

Quick Summary

internal-combustion engine: four-stroke cycle
internal-combustion engine: four-stroke cycle An internal-combustion engine goes through four strokes: intake, compression, combustion (power), and exhaust. As the piston moves during each stroke, it turns the crankshaft.

A connecting rod is a crucial component in mechanical engineering that links a reciprocating part, like a piston, to a rotating part, such as a crankshaft. Its primary function is to convert the linear, back-and-forth motion of the piston into the rotational motion needed to power machinery.12

The connecting rod typically has a larger end that fits onto the crankshaft's crankpin and a smaller end attached to the piston. This design allows for the transmission of force and motion, enabling engines to operate. The first known use of the term "connecting rod" dates back to 1839.21

Summary created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
3 Britannica Sources
  1. gasoline engine - Connecting rod and crankshaft
  2. connecting rod
  3. return connecting rod

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.