Chapter -4

Functional Decomposition

4.1 Introduction
Functional decomposition is a way of breaking down the complex problem into simpler problems
based on the tasks that need to be performed rather than the data relationships. This term is usually
associated with the older procedure-oriented design. Basically, functional decomposition takes
something complicated and simplifies it. The individual elements of the process and their
hierarchical relationship to each other are commonly displayed in a diagram called a functional
decomposition diagram.

A product consisting various components fulfill various purposes to make the product active. Each
components may serve multiple functions. The Functional Decomposition must therefore be
approached in a systematic manner. It must aim to ensure that each function and process is
conceptually and operationally independent. And so, functional decomposition can be much more
difficult often.

There are usually four basic steps in applying the techniques and several guidelines and these are
needed to follow to make successful functional decomposition.

Step 1: Finding the most general function which has to be accomplished

The purpose in this step is to identify the function that reflects the overall purpose of the design.
If there is presence of one or two major functions, these must be compacted to a single clause and
put it in the “Black box”. Energy, material and information work as inputs to the box which flow
into the boundary of the system. Which flow out of the system are called the outputs.

Step 2: Creating Sub-function Descriptions

The goal of this step is to identify all the sub-functions by decomposing overall function.
Step 3: Ordering the sub-functions

For each of the functions those have been put in the step 2, finding their closest sub-functions to
accomplish the overall function in step 1 is the purpose of this step. For many problems where
redesign is needed, this ordering occurs simultaneously with their identification in step 2, but for
some material processing systems this is a major step.

Step 4: Checking all sub-functions

In this step, all sub-functions have to be checked and examined to know if it can be further divided
into more sub-functions. And if there is any, we need to find out where it fits.
4.2 BLACK BOX DIAGRAM:

In science, computing, and engineering, a black box is a device, system or object which can be
viewed in terms of its inputs and outputs. This model relates the customer needs to the functional
model. Each customer need identifies one or more input or output flows for the product.

Black box diagram of our Advanced Weight Lifting machine is shown below:

Mechanical
Electrical Advanced Weight
Energy &
Energy Lifting machine Rotational
Energy

Figure 4.1: Black Box Model of the Advanced Weight Lifting machine

There is only one type of input and corresponding output in a black-box. They are
➢ Electrical Energy input and Mechanical & Rotational energy output

Flow of Energy: A motor will be operated through electrical energy that will move the lead screw.
The sliding of the slide way through a guiding path will result in the upward movement of the
scissor. Thus, electrical energy is converted into mechanical energy.
Also, servomotors are conducted by the microcontroller where electrical energy is the input &
output appears as Rotational energy.
 4.3 Component hierarchy:

Functional decomposition takes something complicated and simplifies it. The individual elements
of the process and their hierarchical relationship to each other are commonly displayed in a
diagram called a functional decomposition diagram.

Component hierarchy of our auto adjusting solar panel is shown below.

Advanced Weight Lifting Machine

Movement Rotating
Body Sensors
System System

Movement of Full body 360 rotation Rotation of Height

scissor (upward & movement by of rotating Rollers Sensor
downward) wheel. platform

Weight
Sensor

Base Rotating Scissor system Slide-way

platform

Roller Chain Sprocket Fixed Guard

Figure 4.4: Cluster Function of Advanced Weight Lifting Machine
4.5 Conclusion
Finally we can come to a conclusion that black box of our product is viewed in terms of its inputs
and outputs (or transfer characteristics), without any knowledge of its internal workings.
Functional Decomposition here depicted the process of taking the complex working process our
product and breaking it down into its smaller parts. The component hierarchy shows major
components in details whereas the cluster function structure showed the inter-relation between
components and flow of energy with desired output.