Connecting rod

A rigid mechanical link that transmits force and motion between a crank and a moving component, commonly a piston. In a reciprocating engine, it helps convert between the piston’s linear motion and the crankshaft’s rotation.

Crank–slider mechanism: A mechanism that converts rotation into reciprocating motion, or reciprocation into rotation, using a crank and sliding link. The connecting rod is the link that couples the crank to the slider, often a piston.
Small end: The smaller-end eye of a connecting rod, commonly joined to a piston by a pin. It identifies the joint that follows the piston’s motion.
Internal combustion engine: An engine that produces mechanical power by burning fuel inside a working chamber. Its piston-and-crank arrangement is the most familiar setting for a connecting rod.
Wankel engine: A rotary internal-combustion engine that uses a triangular rotor in an epitrochoidal housing. Its rotor produces shaft rotation without the piston-and-connecting-rod linkage.
Connecting rod ratio: The ratio of connecting-rod length to crank radius in a reciprocating engine. This geometry affects piston motion, side thrust, and dwell near top dead center.
Crankshaft: A rotating shaft with one or more offset crankpins that converts reciprocating force into torque. The rod’s big end articulates around a crankpin and applies force to the shaft.
Big end: The larger-end eye of a connecting rod that surrounds a crankpin bearing. Its split cap and bearing let the rod attach to the rotating crankshaft.
Steam engine: A heat engine that uses expanding steam to produce mechanical work. Many reciprocating steam engines use rods to transmit piston force to a crank.
Swashplate mechanism: A mechanism that converts rotation and axial motion using an inclined plate and sliding elements. It can produce reciprocation without a conventional crank-to-piston connecting rod.
Engine knocking: Abnormal combustion that creates rapid pressure oscillations in a spark-ignition engine cylinder. Knocking raises peak loads that the connecting rod and its bearings must withstand.

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