Patent Publication Number: US-2019177897-A1

Title: Washing machine appliances and methods of operation

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present subject matter relates generally to washing machine appliances and more particularly to washing machine features and methods for improved soaking of articles therein. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Washing machine appliances generally include a tub contained within a cabinet for containing water or wash fluid (e.g., water and detergent, bleach, fabric softener, or other wash additives). A basket is rotatably mounted within the tub and defines a wash chamber for receipt of articles for washing. During normal operation of such washing machine appliances, a wash fluid is directed into the tub and onto articles within the wash chamber of the basket. The basket or an agitation element can rotate at various speeds to agitate articles (e.g., clothes) within the wash chamber, to wring wash fluid from articles within the wash chamber, etc. 
     In some instances, it may be desirable to temporarily stop or pause a wash cycle of a washing machine appliance. For instance, during or after a fill operation in which water fills the tub, it may be useful for the appliance to hold water or wash fluid within the tub instead of allowing the washing machine to continue with the next step of the wash cycle. By allowing the tub to hold the wash fluid within the tub, articles within the wash chamber may soak for an extended period, which may serve to lift stains or foreign objects that have accumulated on the articles. Existing systems typically require a user to manually start and end any such operations. Thus, a specific button may be provided for a user to manually pause and resume a wash cycle. Alternatively, in some existing appliances (e.g., certain vertical axis washing machine appliances), a user may be required to manually lift a lid of the washing machine, thus uncovering the wash chamber and forcing the appliance to stop any wash cycle being performed. 
     However, problems often arise with using existing appliances or methods to temporarily stop or pause a wash cycle. For instance, articles within the tub must usually stagnate (i.e., remain static) during the pause. Although some articles may be submersed in the wash fluid within the tub, other articles may be held above the “water line” of wash fluid within the tub. Thus, certain articles may begin to dry out as fluid drains or evaporates from those articles. This problem may be especially pronounced in so-called “high-efficiency” washing machine appliances, which generally minimize the use of large volumes of water. Another problem that may arise is that any additives (e.g., detergent, bleach, fabric softener) within the tub may begin to settle or separate from water or the rest of the wash fluid within the tub. 
     Therefore, there is a need for improved washing machine appliances. In particular, it would be advantageous to provide a washing machine appliance or method of operation addressing one or more of the above-described problems with temporarily pausing a wash cycle. 
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be obvious from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
     In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a method of operating a washing machine appliance is provided. The method may include receiving a wash signal from a user interface. The method may also include initiating a wash cycle in response to receiving the wash signal, the wash cycle comprising flowing a volume of liquid into a tub of the washing machine appliance. The method may further include receiving a pause signal from the user interface while the volume of liquid is within the tub. The method may still further halting the wash cycle for a pause period in response to receiving the pause signal. The method may still further include agitating articles and the volume of liquid within the basket during the pause period. The method may additionally include resuming the wash cycle following agitating articles. 
     In one exemplary aspect of the present disclosure, a washing machine appliance is provided. The washing machine appliance may include a cabinet, a user interface, a tub, a rotation element, a motor, and a controller. The user interface may be mounted to the cabinet. The tub may be housed within the cabinet. The rotation element may be rotatably mounted within the tub. The motor may be in mechanical communication with the rotation element to selectively rotate the rotation element within the tub. The controller may be in operative communication with the motor and the user interface. The controller may be configured to initiate a washing operation. The washing operation may include receiving a wash signal from the user interface, initiating a wash cycle in response to receiving the wash signal, flowing a volume of liquid into the tub during the wash cycle, receiving a pause signal from the user interface while the volume of liquid is within the tub, halting the wash cycle for a pause period in response to receiving the pause signal, agitating articles and the volume of liquid with the tub during the pause period, and resuming the wash cycle following agitating articles. 
     These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures. 
         FIG. 1  provides a perspective view of a washing machine appliance, with a portion of a cabinet of the washing machine appliance shown broken away in order to reveal certain interior components of the washing machine appliance, according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 2  provides a front elevation schematic view of various components of the exemplary washing machine appliance of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  provides a flow chart illustrating a method for operating a washing machine appliance in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
         FIG. 4  provides a flow chart illustrating a method for operating a washing machine appliance in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     In order to aid understanding of this disclosure, several terms are defined below. The defined terms are understood to have meanings commonly recognized by persons of ordinary skill in the arts relevant to the present invention. The terms “includes” and “including” are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising.” Similarly, the term “or” is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., “A or B” is intended to mean “A or B or both”), except as otherwise indicated. 
     Turning now to the figures,  FIG. 1  provides a perspective view partially broken away of a washing machine appliance  50  according to exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure. As may be seen in  FIG. 1 , washing machine appliance  50  includes a cabinet  52  and a cover  54  mounted to cabinet  52 . In some embodiments, a backsplash  56  extends from cover  54 , and a control panel  58  including a plurality of input selectors  60  is coupled to backsplash  56 . Control panel  58  and input selectors  60  collectively form a user interface input for operator selection of machine cycles and features, and in one embodiment a display  61  indicates selected features, a countdown timer, and other items of interest to machine users. Optionally, the user interface may further include a secondary device (not pictured), such as a smart phone, tablet, or laptop computer that is in wireless communication with control panel  58  or a controller  150  ( FIG. 2 ) to direct operations of washing machine appliance  50 . 
     A lid  62  is mounted to cover  54  and is rotatable about a hinge (not shown) between an open position (not shown) facilitating access to a basket  70  within a wash tub  64  located within cabinet  52 , and a closed position (shown in  FIG. 1 ) forming an enclosure over wash tub  64 . Optionally, a lid switch (not pictured) may be provided to detect that the lid has been moved to or from the closed position. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , washing machine appliance  50  is a vertical axis washing machine appliance. While the present disclosure is discussed with reference to a vertical axis washing machine appliance, those of ordinary skill in the art, using the disclosure provided herein, should understand that the subject matter of the present disclosure is equally applicable to other washing machine appliances, such as horizontal axis washing machine appliances. 
     Generally, appliance  50  defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L and a transverse direction T when mounted in a level position. As illustrated, the vertical direction V is perpendicular to a level support surface on which the cabinet  52  is mounted. Moreover, the vertical direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T are mutually perpendicular and form an orthogonal direction system. 
     Tub  64  includes a bottom wall  66  and a sidewall  68 , and basket  70  is rotatably mounted within wash tub  64 . A pump assembly  72  is located beneath tub  64  and basket  70  for gravity assisted flow when draining tub  64 . Pump assembly  72  includes a pump  74  and a motor  76 . A pump inlet hose  80  extends from a wash tub outlet  82  in tub bottom wall  66  to a pump inlet  84 , and a pump outlet hose  86  extends from a pump outlet  88  to an appliance washing machine water outlet  90  and ultimately to a building plumbing system discharge line (not shown) in flow communication with outlet  90 . 
       FIG. 2  provides a front elevation schematic view of certain components washing machine appliance  50  including wash basket  70  movably disposed and rotatably mounted in wash tub  64  in a spaced apart relationship from tub sidewall  68  and tub bottom  66 . Basket  70  includes a plurality of perforations therein to facilitate fluid communication between an interior of basket  70  and wash tub  64 . 
     A hot liquid valve  102  and a cold liquid valve  104  deliver fluid, such as water, to basket  70  and wash tub  64  through a respective hot liquid hose  106  and cold liquid hose  108 . Liquid valves  102 ,  104  and liquid hoses  106 ,  108  together form a liquid supply connection for washing machine appliance  50  and, when connected to a building plumbing system (not shown), provide a fresh water supply for use in washing machine appliance  50 . Liquid valves  102 ,  104  and liquid hoses  106 ,  108  are connected to a basket inlet tube  110 , and fluid is dispersed from inlet tube  110  through a nozzle assembly  112  having a number of openings therein to direct washing liquid into basket  70  at a given trajectory and velocity. A dispenser (not shown in  FIG. 2 ), may also be provided to produce a solution (e.g., wash fluid) by mixing fresh water with a known detergent or other composition for cleansing of articles in basket  70 . 
     In some embodiments, an agitation element  116 , such as a vane agitator, impeller, auger, or oscillatory basket mechanism, or some combination thereof is disposed in basket  70  to impart an oscillatory motion to articles and liquid in basket  70 . In various exemplary embodiments, agitation element  116  may be a single action element (oscillatory only), double action (oscillatory movement at one end, single direction rotation at the other end) or triple action (oscillatory movement plus single direction rotation at one end, single direction rotation at the other end). As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , agitation element  116  is oriented to rotate about a vertical axis  118 . 
     In some embodiments, basket  70  and agitator  116  are driven by a motor  120  (i.e., rotated about the vertical axis  118 ) through a transmission and clutch system  122 . The motor  120  drives shaft  126  to rotate basket  70  within wash tub  64 . Clutch system  122  facilitates driving engagement of basket  70  and agitation element  116  for rotatable movement within wash tub  64 , and clutch system  122  facilitates relative rotation of basket  70  and agitation element  116  for selected phases of a wash cycle. Motor  120  and transmission and clutch system  122  collectively are referenced herein as a motor assembly  148 . 
     As illustrated, basket  70 , tub  64 , and motor assembly  148  may be supported by a vibration damping suspension system  92 . The damping suspension system  92  can include a plurality of damping elements, such as piston-casing damping elements, coupled to the wash tub  64 . The damping suspension system  92  can include other elements, such as a balance ring  94  disposed around the upper circumferential surface of the wash basket  70 . The balance ring  94  can be used to counterbalance an out of balance condition for the wash machine as the basket  70  rotates within the wash tub  64 . The wash basket  70  could also include a balance ring  96  located at a lower circumferential surface of the wash basket  70 . During washing operations, damping suspension system  92  generally function to dampen dynamic motion as the wash basket  70  rotates within the wash tub  64 . 
     Operation of washing machine appliance  50  is generally controlled by a controller  150  that is operatively coupled (e.g., electrically coupled or wirelessly coupled) to the user interface located on washing machine backsplash  56  ( FIG. 1 ) for user input or manipulation to select certain washing machine operations and features. In response, for instance to user manipulation of the input selectors  60 , controller  150  transmits one or more wash signals and operates the various components of washing machine appliance  50  to execute selected operations and features. User manipulation of input selectors  60  may specify (e.g., manually select) one or more conditions regarding wash operation (e.g., load size, cycle length, water temperature, etc.). Additionally or alternatively, user manipulation of input selectors  60  may prompt controller  150  to independently (i.e., automatically) determine one or more conditions regarding the wash operation (e.g., load size, cycle length, water temperature, etc.). 
     Controller  150  may include a memory (e.g., non-transitory storage media) and microprocessor, such as a general or special purpose microprocessor operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with a washing operation (including a wash cycle). The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory (e.g., as software). The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. Alternatively, controller  150  may be constructed without using a microprocessor [e.g., using a combination of discrete analog or digital logic circuitry (such as switches, amplifiers, integrators, comparators, flip-flops, AND gates, and the like) to perform control functionality instead of relying upon software]. Control panel  58  and other components of washing machine appliance  50  (such as motor assembly  148 , measurement devices  130 , pump assembly  72 , heating element  160 , etc.) may be coupled to, or otherwise in communication with, controller  150  via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses to provide signals to or receive signals from the controller  150 . 
     Optionally, a measurement device  130  may be included with controller  150 . Moreover, measurement devices  130  may include a microprocessor that performs the calculations specific to the measurement of motion with the calculation results being used by controller  150 . Additionally or alternatively, measurement device  130  may include one or more sensors (e.g., temperature sensors, such as a thermistor, thermocouple, etc.) configured to detect a temperature of water or wash fluid within tub  64 , as is generally understood. 
     In an illustrative embodiment, articles (e.g., laundry items) are loaded into basket  70 , and washing operation (including a wash cycle) is initiated through operator manipulation of control input selectors  60  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). Tub  64  is filled with water and mixed with detergent to form a wash fluid and a one or more portions of the appliance  50  may be rotated. In some such embodiments, a rotation element is rotated by motor  120  (e.g., through an agitation phase). For instance, the rotation element may include agitation element  116 . Basket  70  may be agitated with agitation element  116  for cleansing of laundry items in basket  70 . That is, agitation element  116  is rotated back and forth in an oscillatory back and forth motion (e.g., while basket  70  remains generally stationary—i.e., not actively rotated). In the illustrated embodiment, agitation element  116  is rotated clockwise a specified amount about the vertical axis  118  of the machine, and then rotated counterclockwise by a specified amount. The clockwise/counterclockwise reciprocating motion is sometimes referred to as a stroke, and the agitation phase of the wash cycle constitutes a number of strokes in sequence. Acceleration and deceleration of agitation element  116  during the strokes imparts mechanical energy to articles in basket  70  for cleansing action. The strokes may be obtained in different embodiments with a reversing motor, a reversible clutch, or other known reciprocating mechanism. 
     Additionally or alternatively, the rotation element may include basket  70 , which may be rotated about the vertical axis  118 . In some such embodiments, basket  70  is rotated back and forth in an oscillatory back and forth motion. In particular, basket  70  may be rotated clockwise a specified amount about the vertical axis  118  of the machine, and then rotated counterclockwise by a specified amount. The clockwise/counterclockwise reciprocating motion may be referred to as a stroke, and the agitation phase of the wash cycle constitutes a number of strokes in sequence. Acceleration and deceleration of basket  70  during the strokes imparts mechanical energy to articles in basket  70  for cleansing action. The strokes may be obtained in different embodiments with a reversing motor, a reversible clutch, or other known reciprocating mechanism. 
     In some embodiments, after the agitation phase of the wash cycle is completed, tub  64  is drained with pump assembly  72 . Laundry items are then rinsed (e.g., as part of a rinse phase). Upon being rinsed, basket  70  may be rotated in a spin phase. Subsequently, portions of the cycle may be repeated, including the agitation phase and the rinse phase, depending on the particulars of the wash cycle selected by a user. 
     In certain embodiments, the wash cycle of a washing operation may be temporarily paused. In other words, the preset sequence of phases may be interrupted such that the appliance  50  is prevented from continuing with the initiated wash cycle (e.g., as part of a pause period for a predetermined amount of time). As an example, after the tub  64  is filled with a volume of liquid (e.g., water or wash fluid), a user may select a pause input selector (e.g., “PAUSE” button—not pictured) from the input selectors  60  on control panel  58  to transmit a pause signal to the controller  150 . Subsequently (e.g., in direct response to the pause signal), the controller  150  may interrupt the wash cycle for a pause period. During the pause period, the controller  150  may initiate or direct one or more steps, such as an isolated agitation phase (e.g., separate and independent of the preset phases of the wash cycle). 
     In optional embodiments, a heating element  160  (e.g., resistive heating element) is mounted within the appliance  50 . For instance, heating element  160  may be positioned inside, or otherwise in thermal communication with, wash tub  64 . Optionally, heating element  160  may be mounted within a bottom portion (e.g., sump) of wash tub  64  beneath wash basket  70 . Moreover, heating element  160  may be in operable communication (e.g., electrical communication or wireless communication) with the controller  150 . In turn, controller  150  may selectively activate heating element  160 , thereby generating or directing additional heat energy to a volume of liquid within wash tub  64 . During certain operations (e.g., during a pause period), heating element  160  may be activated to advantageously maintain liquid within wash tub  64  at a desired temperature. 
     In additional or alternative embodiments, a recirculation assembly  170  is mounted within the appliance  50 . For instance, recirculation assembly  170  may include one or more circulation hoses (e.g., circulation hose  172 ) in fluid communication with wash tub  64 . In turn, a recirculation inlet upstream from a recirculation outlet may selectively receive liquid (e.g., water or wash fluid) from the tub  64  before returning the liquid to the wash tub  64  (i.e., through recirculation outlet). It is noted that although circulation hose  172  is illustrated as providing the returned liquid directly to the wash tub  64  (i.e., providing a recirculation outlet directly upstream from wash tub  64 ), additional or alternative embodiments may provide a hose outlet or nozzle above basket  70 , such that returned liquid is provided directly from circulation hose  172  to basket  70 . In other words, a recirculation outlet of circulation hose  172  may be positioned above and directly upstream of basket  70 . Additionally or alternatively, circulation hose  172  may be in fluid communication with nozzle assembly  112  such that returned liquid is provided from circulation hose  172  to basket  70  through nozzle assembly  112 . Optionally, pump assembly  72  (in addition or alternative to or one or more valves) may selectively flow fluid from wash tub  64  to a circulation hose  172  (e.g., instead of outlet hose  86 ), as directed by controller  150 . During certain operations (e.g., during a pause period), recirculation assembly  170  may advantageously recirculate fluid within wash tub  64  to maintain liquid within wash tub  64  at desired state (e.g., a desired suspension of wash fluid within water). 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , various methods may be provided for use with washing machine appliances (e.g., washing machine appliance  50 ) in accordance with the present disclosure. In general, the various steps of methods as disclosed herein may, in exemplary embodiments, be performed by the controller  150  as part of a washing operation that the controller  150  is configured to initiate. During such methods, controller  150  may receive inputs and transmit outputs from various other components of the appliance  50 . For example, controller  150  may send signals to and receive signals from motor assembly  148  (including the motor  120 ), control panel  58 , measurement device  130 , pump assembly  72 , or valves  102 ,  104 . In particular, the present disclosure is further directed to methods, as indicated by reference numbers  300  and  400 , for operating washing machine appliance. Such methods advantageously facilitate improved soaking of articles within the washing machine appliance  50 . 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  depict steps performed in a particular order for purpose of illustration and discussion. Those of ordinary skill in the art, using the disclosures provided herein, will understand that (except as otherwise indicated) the steps of any of the methods disclosed herein can be modified, adapted, rearranged, omitted, or expanded in various ways without deviating from the scope of the present disclosure. 
     Turning specifically to  FIG. 3 , a method  300  is illustrated. At  310 , the method  300  includes receiving a wash signal from the user interface. For instance, in reaction or response to a user engaging one or more input selectors, the control panel may transmit a wash signal to the controller. One or more conditions regarding a desired wash cycle may be manually specified at the user interface or automatically determined by the controller. If automatically determined, these conditions may be included with the wash signal. Thus, the wash signal received from the user interface may specify (e.g., directly or indirectly) various conditions regarding a wash cycle to be performed by the washing machine appliance, such as, for instance, load size, cycle length, water temperature, etc. 
     In certain embodiments, the wash signal includes article type data (e.g., cotton, linen, silk, etc.) for articles within the basket. Thus, various portions of a wash operation, such as agitation (e.g., oscillation speed, oscillation frequency, motor torque, agitation duration, etc.), may be varied according to the specified article type for articles within the basket. 
     In additional or alternative embodiments, the wash signal includes load size data. For instance, the load size data may include a general estimation of relative size (e.g., small, medium, large, etc.) or may correspond to a specific volume or mass. Thus, various portions of a wash operation, such as agitation (e.g., oscillation speed, oscillation frequency, motor torque, agitation duration, etc.), may be varied according to the specified load size for articles within the basket. 
     At  320 , the method  300  includes initiating a wash cycle in response to receiving the wash signal at  310 . In particular, the initiated wash cycle may include flowing a volume of a liquid (e.g., water or wash fluid) into the tub. The liquid may include water, and may further include one or more additives as discussed above. The water may be flowed through the hot liquid hose or cold liquid hose, the basket inlet tube, and nozzle assembly into the tub and onto articles that are disposed in the basket for washing. The volume of liquid may be dependent upon the size of the load of articles and other variables which may, for example, be included in the wash signal received at  310 . 
     As described above, the wash cycle may further include draining the tub such that the volume of liquid is evacuated by the pump. Additionally or alternatively, the wash cycle may further include one or more predetermined phases (e.g., a separate and sequential agitation phase, rinse phase, and spin phase). Each predetermined phase is generally set or programmed according to the wash signal received at  310 . In turn, the predetermined phases may follow a predetermined order associated with the particular wash cycle of  320 . 
     At  330 , the method  300  includes receiving a pause signal from the user interface. In particular, the pause signal may be received while the volume of liquid is within the tub (e.g., during the wash cycle of  320 ). The pause signal may be transmitted from the control panel, for instance. In some such embodiments, an associated input selector (e.g., “PAUSE” button) on the control panel may be engaged or depressed by the user. In additional or alternative embodiments, the associated input selector may be provided at a secondary device in wireless communication with the controller. In further additional or alternative embodiments, a user may lift the lid (i.e., such that the lid is moved from the closed position to the open position). A lid switch in operable communication (e.g., mechanical communication) with the lid may detect that the lid has been moved from the closed position, and may transmit a corresponding pause signal in response. 
     At  340 , the method  300  may include halting the wash cycle for a pause period in response to receiving the pause signal. Thus, receiving the pause signal may initiate the halting of the wash cycle at  340  (e.g., for the duration of the pause period immediately following receipt of the pause signal). In some embodiments,  340  includes stopping or preventing the flow of liquid or wash fluid into the tub. Furthermore,  340  may include holding the volume of liquid or wash fluid within the washing machine appliance. In other words, the pump may be prevented from draining or otherwise motivating the volume of liquid or wash fluid out of the washing machine appliance through the outlet hose. In addition, the sequence of the wash cycle (i.e., the progression to sequential predetermined phases) may be interrupted. 
     During the pause period, controller may be restricted from advancing to the predetermined agitation phase, rinse phase, spin phase, etc. In some embodiments, the pause period is a predetermined time period. In other words, the pause period may be a defined subset of time (e.g., 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, etc.) that begins to run at  340  (e.g., upon halting the wash cycle). Optionally, the pause period may be ended or cut short (e.g., before the expiration of the defined subset of time) in response to a subsequently-received signal, such as resume signal received from the user interface, as will be further described below. 
     At  350 , the method  300  includes agitating articles and the volume of liquid within the basket during the pause period. Although the washing machine appliance is prevented from advancing to the predetermined agitation phase,  350  may provide agitation to the articles while they remain in the basket for the pause period. For instance, articles within the basket may be oscillated in an alternating clockwise/counterclockwise motion, as described above. Advantageously, articles within the basket may be prevented from drying out or otherwise losing moisture during the pause period. Optionally,  350  may only begin after the expiration of a sub-period that is initiated at  340 . Thus, the sub-period may expire in the time between when  340  is initiated and when  350  is initiated. 
     In some embodiments,  350  includes rotating (e.g., oscillating) the basket within the tub. In additional or alternative embodiments,  350  includes rotating (e.g., oscillating) the agitation element within the basket. In optional embodiments,  350  is based on the wash signal received at  310 . For instance, the wash signal may include one or more conditions or data that are either manually specified at the user interface or automatically determined by the controller after a user engages one or more input selectors. Moreover, the speed of rotation (e.g., oscillation), frequency of oscillation, torque applied at the motor, or duration of agitation may be contingent upon data (e.g., article type, load size, etc.) included in the wash signal. In certain embodiments, the method  300  includes determining a basket pause speed based on the wash signal. The basket pause speed may generally specify the speed at which the associated motor will rotate (e.g., oscillate) the basket or agitation element. Thus,  350  may include rotating the motor at the determined basket pause speed. 
     In some embodiments, the method  300  includes directing one or more treatment actions within the washing machine appliance during the pause period. As an example, some embodiments include activating the heating element during the pause period. Advantageously, the heating element may ensure the liquid within the tub is maintained at a desired temperature (e.g., the temperature at which it was introduced to the tub) for the duration of the pause period. As another example, some embodiments include motivating the volume of liquid through the recirculation assembly. The liquid may thus be motivated out of the tub (e.g., by the pump) before being returned to the tub (e.g., directly to the tub or to the tub through the basket). Advantageously, additives (e.g., detergent, bleach, etc.) within the liquid may be prevented from settling or separating from the rest of the liquid (e.g., wash fluid). 
     At  360 , the method  300  includes resuming the wash cycle following  350 . In other words, after the pause period has ended. In some embodiments, the pause period is ended because the predetermined time period has expired. In other words, the wash cycle may resume upon completion of the predetermined time period. In other embodiments the pause period is cut short by an intervening signal. For instance, the method  300  may include receiving a resume signal after (i.e., subsequent to) receiving the pause signal. The resume signal may be transmitted from the control panel, for instance. In some such embodiments, an associated input selector (e.g., “PAUSE” button) on the control panel or secondary device may be engaged or depressed by the user. In additional or alternative embodiments, a user may return the lid to the closed position. In such embodiments, the lid switch in operable communication (e.g., mechanical communication) may detect that the lid has been returned to the closed position, and may transmit a corresponding resume signal in response. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , a flow chart illustrating the exemplary method  400  is provided. Although described independently of method  300 , it is understood that the method  400  may be included with or separate from the method  300 . In other words, one or more steps of the method  300 , and vice versa. 
     At  410  of the method  400 , the controller receives a pause signal after a wash cycle has been started. In some embodiments, the pause signal is received after a volume of liquid is directed within the tub (e.g., during the wash cycle) and while at least a portion of the volume remains within the tub. 
     The pause signal may be transmitted from the control panel, for instance. In some such embodiments, an associated input selector (e.g., “PAUSE” button) on the control panel may be engaged or depressed by the user. In additional or alternative embodiments, the associated input selector may be provided at a secondary device in wireless communication with the controller. In further additional or alternative embodiments, a user may lift the lid (i.e., such that the lid is moved from the closed position to the open position). A lid switch in operable communication (e.g., mechanical communication) may detect that the lid has been moved from the closed position, and may transmit a corresponding pause signal in response. 
     At  420  of the method  400 , the controller halts the wash cycle for a pause period. The halt in the wash cycle may be made while at least a portion of the volume remains within the tub. Moreover, the halt may be performed in response (e.g., direct response) to receiving the pause signal. Thus, receiving the pause signal may initiate the halting of the wash cycle at  420  (e.g., for the duration of the pause period). In turn, the sequence of the wash cycle (i.e., the progression to sequential predetermined phases) may be interrupted. During the pause period, controller may be restricted from advancing to the predetermined agitation phase, rinse phase, and spin phase, as described above. 
     At  430  of the method  400 , the controller initiates a pause period countdown. The countdown may be initiated simultaneous to or in tandem with the halting of the wash cycle at  420 . In some embodiments, the pause period is a predetermined time period. In other words, the pause period may be a defined subset of time (e.g., 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, etc.) that begins to run at  430  (e.g., upon halting the wash cycle). 
     At  440  of the method  400 , the controller determines if the wash cycle should be resumed. In particular,  440  provides for evaluating whether either (a) the pause period countdown has ended or (b) a resume signal has been received. If one or both of (a) or (b) is true, the wash cycle may be resumed. In other words, the wash cycle may be resumed at the expiration of the pause period, or the pause period may be cut short before the expiration of the predetermined period (e.g., in response to a subsequently-received signal, such as resume signal received from the user interface). If neither (a) nor (b) is true, the method  400  may continue to  450 . 
     At  450  of the method  400 , the controller holds the volume of water within the wash appliance. In particular, the pump may be prevented from draining or otherwise motivating the volume of liquid or wash fluid out of the washing machine appliance through the output hose. Additionally or alternatively,  450  may include stopping or preventing the flow of liquid or wash fluid into the tub. 
     In some embodiments, at  450 , the controller activates the heating element to direct heat to the volume of liquid within the appliance. Advantageously, the heating element may ensure the liquid and articles within the tub are maintained at a desired temperature (e.g., the temperature at which it was introduced to the tub) for the duration of the pause period. 
     In additional or alternative embodiments, at  450 , the controller motivates the volume of liquid through the recirculation assembly. The liquid (e.g., wash fluid) may thus be motivated out of the tub (e.g., by the pump) before being returned to the tub (e.g., directly to the tub or to the tub through the basket). Advantageously, additives (e.g., detergent, bleach, etc.) within the liquid may be prevented from settling or separating from the rest of the liquid (e.g., wash fluid). 
     At  460  of the method  400 , the controller agitates the articles within the tub. The rotating element may rotate (e.g., oscillate) within the tub. For example, the motor may be activated to rotate (e.g., oscillate) the basket within the tub. As another example, the motor may be activated to rotate (e.g., oscillate) the agitation element within the basket. In optional embodiments,  460  is based on the wash cycle being paused. For instance, the speed of rotation (e.g., oscillation), frequency of oscillation, torque applied at the motor, or duration of agitation may be contingent upon data (e.g., article type, load size, etc.) included in a wash signal. As described above, the included data may be manually specified at the user interface or automatically determined by the controller after a user engages one or more input selectors. In certain embodiments, the method  400  includes determining a basket pause speed based on the wash signal. The basket pause speed may generally specify the speed at which the associated motor will rotate (e.g., oscillate) the basket or agitation element. Thus,  460  may include rotating the motor at the determined basket pause speed. As  460  is being performed, or following a predetermined agitation period after  460  has been initiated, the method  400  may return to  440  to determine if the wash cycle should be resumed, or if  450  and  460  should be repeated. 
     This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.