Camshaft

Fig. 1. A rotating cam.[1]

A camshaft is a rod which rotates and slides against a piece of machinery in order
to turn rotational motion into linear motion. This change of motion is accomplished
by the camshaft moving further and closer from the axis of rotation as the camshaft
is pushed by the machinery.[2] These moving pieces of the shaft are the cams. The
linear distance moved is called the 'throw' and can be seen in Figure 1.

A camshaft on an internal combustion heat engine is a device that controls both the
input of fuel and the expulsion of exhaust fumes. It consists of several radial
cams, each displacing intake or exhaust valves. This camshaft is connected to
the crankshaft via belt, chain or gears. This ensures consistent timing of the
valves in relation to the motion of the pistons.[3]

Figure 2. A diagram of a 4-stroke internal combustion engine. The cams are at the
top of figure 2, notice how they turn their spinning motion into a linear motion
for the valves.[4]

The function of a camshaft is dependent on how a valve works and the function of
the cam itself. A valve on a cylinder head consists of two basic parts, a stem and
a head (see Figure 2). The head plugs the nozzle that allows fuel intake or exhaust
flow and requires linear motion.[5] A cam, in its simplest definition, is a
mechanical link that converts rotational motion into linear motion, or vice versa.
[2] The cams on a camshaft achieve this displacement by the rotation of a radial
pattern, and a follower which moves perpendicular to the rotational axis. The cam
pattern on a camshaft is non-circular with a single lobe. The follower matches the
displacement of the cam as it rotates. This displacement is then translated to the
stem of the valve, allowing head to rise as the lobes of the cam pass through the
follower.[5]

Since an automotive engine has several pistons like the piston in Figure 2, a
single cam is insufficient for all of these pistons. An entire rod covered with
cams must be used. This is the camshaft seen in Figure 3. Note that the precise
placement of the cams along the shaft allow for precise timing of the relative
valves opening and closing. This precise timing is needed since a car engine is
firing at thousands of RPM.[3] Insuring the timing is proper in a car engine is one
of the simpler ways to save money and energy.

Figure 3. A camshaft for an inline four-cylinder engine. Notice how each set of
four cams is separated, making this for a 16-valve engine.[6]

For Further Reading

Cam

Reciprocating engine

Internal combustion engine

Rotational energy

Gasoline engine

Or explore a random page

References

↑ MsC Technology. (2011). Eccentric Cam [Online]. Available: http://msc-

technology.wikispaces.com/Mechanical+Design#Cams

↑ 2.0 2.1 MsC Technology. (2011). Mechanical Design [Online]. Available http://msc-
technology.wikispaces.com/Mechanical+Design#Cams

↑ 3.0 3.1 Engine Basics. (2009). Understanding Camshafts [Online].

Available: http://www.enginebasics.com/Engine%20Basics%20Root%20Folder/Basic
%20Camshaft%20Understanding.html

↑ Zephyris. (2010). 4 Stroke Engine [Online].

Avaliable: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internal_combustion_engine#mediaviewer/File
:4StrokeEngine_Ortho_3D_Small.gif

↑ 5.0 5.1 D. Fuhller. (2014). Camshaft FAQs: What is Lobe Separation? What are
Intake and Exhaust Centerlines? (And More) [Online].
Available:http://www.onallcylinders.com/2014/02/07/camshaft-faqs-lobe-separation-
intake-exhaust-centerlines/

↑ D. Fuller. (2014). Camshaft [Online].

Available: http://www.onallcylinders.com/2014/02/07/camshaft-faqs-lobe-separation-
intake-exhaust-centerlines/

Authors and Editors

Bethel Afework, James Jenden, Scott Kosasih, Richard Logan, Jason Donev
Last updated: September 3, 2018
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