3 ms·
One of my favorite examples of poka-yoke is the Apple MagSafe charger. The magnetic part itself is foolproof, sure. But the genius part is the small metal knob
by jihadjihad 8y ago
One of my favorite examples of poka-yoke is the Apple MagSafe charger. The magnetic part itself is foolproof, sure. But the genius part is the small metal knob that meshes with the removable AC prong piece. It is impossible to insert that piece in any other way than it was intended, and the solution is unobtrusive, clean, and simple.
- codetrotter 8y agoI still don’t get why they removed it. MagSafe was a great thing. Sure some people got things stuck in the connector but that is a much smaller problem than having your laptop pulled along with the cable when someone trips on your charger.
- samatman 8y agoAnecdotally, I just accidentally kicked my USB-C charger loose, from the charger side. Pretty sure that would have stressed the old MagSafe cables. I expect to have to replace the cable at some point, but not the charging brick or the ports. For those with large dogs, toddlers, or just klutziness (I'm borderline), magnetic breakaway cables are available.
- dfox 8y agoThe metal knob actually is PE pin for the AC plug, which is used in some parts of the world with presumably stricter low voltage safety standards which would not allow for the chassis of macbook to float at what is essentially half of the mains voltage (this is why you get slight tingling sensation if you run back of your hand over macbook that is plugged into charger with two-prong plug).