Thermal imaging for temperature measurement in washing machines

A washing machine appliance comprising:

• a cabinet defining an opening;
• a door configured for selective access to the cabinet by way of the opening;
• a wash tub located within the cabinet;
• a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub, the wash basket having a basket bottom;
• a water supply configured to provide wash fluid as a fluid stream that is collected in the wash tub as a fluid bath;
• a thermal sensor configured to obtain temperature data of the fluid stream or the fluid bath, wherein the thermal sensor is configured to have a field of view that includes both the fluid stream and the fluid bath;
• and
• a controller in operational communication with the thermal sensor and the water supply, the controller configured to:
• obtain a fluid temperature of the fluid stream or the fluid bath using the thermal sensor;
• compare the fluid temperature to a preset temperature;
• and
• adjust the water supply in response to comparing the fluid temperature to the preset temperature.