Käynnistintä

Käynnistintä is a Finnish word that translates to "starter" in English. It most commonly refers to the starter motor in an internal combustion engine. This component is crucial for initiating the engine's operation by converting electrical energy into mechanical energy to turn the crankshaft.

The starter motor is typically an electric motor that engages with the engine's flywheel. When the ignition key is turned or a start button is pressed, a signal is sent to the starter solenoid. The solenoid then extends a pinion gear, which meshes with the teeth of the flywheel. Simultaneously, it closes a circuit, allowing current from the battery to flow to the starter motor. The motor spins, turning the flywheel and thus the engine's crankshaft, initiating the combustion cycle. Once the engine starts running under its own power, the pinion gear retracts from the flywheel.

In a broader sense, "käynnistintä" can also refer to any device that initiates a process or system. For example, it might be used in a technical context to describe the starting mechanism of a different type of machine or a software program. However, its primary and most frequent usage is in the automotive and mechanical engineering fields related to engine starting.