US 11,815,946 B2
Modal frequency shifting for loudspeaker devices
Mark William Starnes, Sunnyvale, CA (US); and Andrew Phillis, Campbell, CA (US)
Assigned to Google LLC, Mountain View, CA (US)
Filed by Google LLC, Mountain View, CA (US)
Filed on Aug. 27, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/004,357.
Application 17/004,357 is a continuation of application No. 16/289,132, filed on Feb. 28, 2019, granted, now 10,782,731.
Prior Publication US 2020/0393871 A1, Dec. 17, 2020
Int. Cl. G06F 1/16 (2006.01); H04R 5/02 (2006.01); H05K 5/00 (2006.01); H05K 7/14 (2006.01)
CPC G06F 1/1605 (2013.01) [G06F 1/1626 (2013.01); H04R 5/02 (2013.01); H05K 5/0017 (2013.01); H05K 7/1417 (2013.01); H04R 2499/15 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method of changing a frequency response of a panel audio loudspeaker, the method comprising:
activating, by an electronic control module, an actuator coupled to a panel of the panel audio loudspeaker to cause vibration of the panel to generate sound waves within a range of frequencies, the panel having a first edge and a second edge opposite the first edge, and the actuator being coupled to the panel away from the first and second edges; and
varying, by a passive coupling assembly coupling the panel to a chassis at the second edge of the panel, a mechanical impedance between the panel and the chassis sufficient to change a response of the panel to the actuator within the range of frequencies,
wherein the panel is coupled to the chassis at the first edge to prevent displacement of the panel from the chassis at the first edge during vibration of the panel by the actuator, and
the passive coupling assembly allows displacement of the panel from the chassis at the second edge during the vibration of the panel by the actuator, the passive coupling assembly comprising a spring fixedly connected to the panel.