A camshaft is a rod that rotates mechanically and converts rotary movement into the reciprocating movement.
In an engine, the camshaft is part of the engine that controls the opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves of an internal combustion engine. The camshaft has multiple lobes. There are many cams that shift the intake or exhaust valves. This cam slides over the intake and exhaust valves. The cam converts the rotational motion of the camshaft into the reciprocating motion of the filter or cam. This shaft permits fuel to be sucked in and out from inside the engine.
The crankshaft transmits movement to the camshaft via gears, chains, or belts. This guarantees valve control related to piston movement.
The operation of the camshaft depends on the function of the cam and the function of the valve. The intake and exhaust valves are attached to the cylinder head and the cams are attached to these valves. The cylinder head blocks the nozzle, allowing fuel to be taken in or out, and requires reciprocating motion.
If I describe it in a more simple way, a cam is a unit that transforms rotational motion into linear motion and vice versa. The camshaft lobe achieves displacement with a radial rotation pattern and a tappet that moves perpendicular to the axis of rotation. The position of the camshaft depends on the type of engine.
Table of Contents
Primary Function of Camshaft?
The essential feature of the camshaft is to open the inlet and exhaust valve of an engine with the aid of using changing the rotary movement of the crankshaft into the reciprocating movement.
Importance of Camshaft in an Engine
The piston engine will not work without the camshaft. The engine requires a camshaft to properly open and close the intake and exhaust valves.
How Does Camshaft work?
The main role of the camshaft is to open the intake and exhaust valves at the right time. The crankshaft drives this shaft. It is connected to the crankshaft via a belt or meshing gear.
The camshaft moves slower than the crankshaft. After making two turns of the crankshaft, make one turn. In a four-stroke engine, the camshaft works as follows:
- As the piston moves from TDC to BDC, it transfers its movement to the crankshaft.
- The crank gets piston movement and transforms this movement into rotary movement, and begins rotating.
- The crankshaft is hooked up with the camshaft thru tools or a belt.
- As the crankshaft transfers its rotary movement to the camshaft, the camshaft converts this rotary movement into reciprocating movement and presses the inlet valve, and opens it.
- As the valve opens, the gasoline begins to go into the combustion chamber.
- After suction and compression strokes, the combusted air-gasoline aggregate expands withinside the chamber, which forces the piston to transport it downward.
- During the downward movement of the piston, again, the crankshaft gets movement and moves the camshaft.
- As the cam of the exhaust valve gets this movement, it presses the exhaust valve and opens it, which lets in exhaust gases to transport out of the combustion chamber.
Parts of Camshaft
- Cam
- Cam follower
- Main journal
- Lobe
- Ends
Why Camshaft Fails?
There are several possible causes for camshaft damage. The most common reasons for a camshaft failure are listed below.
- The pressure of the valve spring is inappropriate.
- Due to flap wear.
- The brakes are inadequate.
- Due to damage to the cam.
- Because there is a lot of play in the axial direction of the camshaft.
- Use the oil filter with the new cam.
- This is due to mechanical interference such as seal interference, spring coil binding, valve-piston interference, rocker arm grooves, and bolt interference.
- Cheap quality camshaft material is used.
Applications/Uses of Camshaft
Reciprocating engines use camshafts to open and close intake and exhaust valves.