US 12,384,217 B1
Water drainage systems and methods for vehicles
Robert Short, Holly, MI (US); Michael Patrick Kirbitz, Holly, MI (US); and Bryan J. Miller, Davisburg, MI (US)
Assigned to GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed by GM GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY OPERATIONS LLC, Detroit, MI (US)
Filed on Oct. 11, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/913,198.
Int. Cl. B60G 17/017 (2006.01); B60G 17/019 (2006.01)
CPC B60G 17/017 (2013.01) [B60G 17/01908 (2013.01); B60G 2400/0511 (2013.01); B60G 2400/0512 (2013.01); B60G 2400/843 (2013.01); B60G 2401/27 (2013.01); B60G 2800/012 (2013.01); B60G 2800/014 (2013.01); B60G 2800/20 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method, comprising:
monitoring, with a controller having one or more processors onboard a vehicle, for a first criteria that includes the vehicle being in park and a presence of water on a surface of the vehicle, based on signals received by the controller from the one or more sensors;
determining, with the controller, a stance of the vehicle relative to gravity in response to detection of the first criteria;
monitoring, with the controller, for second criteria that includes the vehicle being shutdown and an indication of a driver exiting the vehicle, based on signals received by the controller from one or more sensors;
maintaining, with the controller, an active state of the one or more sensors, the controller, and a suspension system of the vehicle, while the vehicle is shutdown and a battery module of the vehicle is charging; and
adjusting, with the suspension system of the vehicle in response to detection of the second criteria, a pitch angle or a roll angle of the vehicle to define an adjusted stance of the vehicle sufficient for the surface of the vehicle to exceed a drainage angle and thereby promote a directional flow of the water from the surface.