Piston pins are commonly referred to as what type of pins?

Piston pins are commonly referred to as wrist pins because they serve the function of connecting the piston to the connecting rod, allowing for the pivoting motion necessary in the engine's operation. The term "wrist pin" is derived from the pin's ability to provide a pivot point, similar to the way a wrist allows for the movement of the hand in various directions. This pin enables the piston's linear motion to be effectively transferred to the crankshaft via the connecting rod, which is essential for the engine's overall function.

In contrast, other types of pins mentioned do not fulfill this role in the engine assembly. Axis pins generally refer to pins that revolve around a central axis but do not specifically denote the connection mechanism in an engine. Link pins and pivot pins might imply linkage or rotation but lack the specific function of connecting the piston to the connecting rod. Therefore, wrist pins is the accurate term to describe this component due to its specific role in piston assembly and engine mechanics.