The fuel mixture burning in the internal combustion engine cylinder releases heat energy. Further, it turns into a mechanical action that makes the crankshaft rotate. The key element in this process is the piston.

This detail is not as primitive as it might seem at first glance. It would be a big mistake to think of it as a simple pusher.

1. TRANSPORTER II Bus
2. TRANSPORTER T2 Bus
3. TRANSPORTER Mk II Bus
4. TRANSPORTER III Bus
5. TRANSPORTER / CARAVELLE III Bus
6. VANAGON III Bus
7. TRANSPORTER T3 Bus
8. CARAVELLE III Bus
9. TRANSPORTER III Van
10. VANAGON III Van
11. TRANSPORTER T3 Van
12. TRANSPORTER II Van
13. TRANSPORTER T2 Van
14. TRANSPORTER Mk II Van
15. TRANSPORTER III Platform/Chassis
16. TRANSPORTER T3 Platform/Chassis
17. See more in applications

The functionality of the piston

The piston is located in the cylinder, where its reciprocating movements take place.

As it moves towards top dead center (TDC), the KOLBENSCHMIDT brand Piston compresses the fuel mixture. In a gasoline engine, it is ignited with a spark plug at a moment close to the maximum pressure. In a diesel engine, ignition occurs directly due to strong compression.

The increased pressure of the gases formed during combustion pushes the piston in the opposite direction. Together with the piston, a connecting rod articulated with it moves, which makes the crankshaft rotate. So the energy of compressed gases is converted into a torque transmitted by means of a transmission to the wheels of the car.