Updated on January 13, 2025

Main function

Main function is the function for which the engineering system was designed.

Overview

An object of the main function of the engineering system is called target component. It always belongs to the supesystem; the engineering system cannot perform the main function on any of its components.

The determination of the main function and the target component depends on how the system’s boundaries have been defined. As we change the boundaries of the system, the main function and the target change too.

While a system that does not perform any main function cannot exist, there can be systems that perform several (sometimes a lot) main functions. For example, the main function of the air conditioner can be to heat the air, cool the air, move moisture in or out of the air, etc. Swiss army knife or a food processor perform even more main functions.

If there are several main functions, there may be several targets too. If the system performs several main functions, its targets can be different components of the supersystem or different main function can be directed on one target:

The main function is something that never changes during the whole life cycle of the system. If a spoon is broken and it’s hidden in a drawer, its main function is still to hold liquid.
Depending on the circumstances, each technical system can perform some other functions. For example, a chair is designed to support a person, but one can also block the door with it, hang some clothes on it, or use it to break the window during fire. However, the chair was not designed to hold clothes, block doors, or break windows; it was designed to support a person.

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