SYSTEM AND METHOD TO DETECT A FAULT IN A BATTERY
BACKGROUND
[0001] Embodiments of a present disclosure relate to battery pack and more
particularly to a system and a method to detect a fault in a battery.
[0002] A battery pack is a collection of a plurality of cells or cell assemblies. The
battery pack is utilized to provide some appropriate housing, electrical interconnections, and electronics to control and protect the plurality of cells from failure. When a cell is very hot as compared to other cells which are delivering same energy, such situation indicates that the cell performance has degraded, and the continued use of the battery may result in fire or explosion. Monitoring temperature of the plurality of cells inside the battery pack provides crucial information regarding the health of the cell. Various monitoring systems are utilized to detect a fault in the plurality of cells of the battery pack.
[0003] One such conventional monitoring system utilizes a plurality of sensors
mounted on a printed circuit board to track the temperature of a plurality of cells of the battery. Such conventional monitoring systems are externally mounted on the surface of the battery pack and inadequately track internal temperature changes, regardless of a sampling rate used to digitize sensor output and are unable to detect fast changes in an internal temperature of the cell. Hence, the conventional monitoring systems are inadequate to detect or predict thermal runaway.
[0004] Moreover, such conventional monitoring systems require each of the
plurality of cells of the battery pack to be coupled to the sensors and use multiplexers to interface each of the sensor with an Analog to Digital converter (ADC) by combining the outputs of the sensors. For example, if there are 128 cells in the battery pack, then 128 sensors are required. If 8:1 Mux are used to combine the sensors, then 16 of them are required to combine 128 sensors to 16 outputs. The 16 outputs may need to be further combined using two 8:1 Mux to 2 outputs which are then fed to the ADC. In order to accommodate such large number of multiplexers, the printed circuit board including the sensors and the multiplexers is placed on top of the battery pack which results in adding extra cost for manufacturing the battery pack and increases the size of the battery pack.

[0005] Hence, there is a need for an improved and cost-effective system and
method to detect a fault in a battery.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0006] In accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, a fault
detection system to detect a fault in a battery is provided. The system includes a plurality of temperature detection devices arranged in a plurality of temperature detection device arrays are operatively coupled to a plurality of battery cells arranged in a plurality of cell arrays. Each of the plurality of temperature detection device is operatively coupled to each of the corresponding battery cell. Each of the plurality of temperature detection devices is configured to sense a temperature of each of the corresponding battery cell. The system also includes a plurality of constant current sources electrically coupled to the plurality of temperature detection device array. Each of the plurality of constant current source is electrically coupled to each of the corresponding temperature detection device array. Each of the constant current source is configured to inject a constant current through each of the corresponding temperature detection device array. The fault detection system further includes a plurality of voltage detection devices electrically coupled to the plurality of temperature detection device arrays. Each of the plurality of voltage detection device is electrically coupled to each of the corresponding temperature detection device array. Each of the voltage detection device is configured to detect a voltage across each of the corresponding temperature detection device array. The system further includes a comparator electrically coupled to the plurality of voltage detection devices. The comparator is configured to compute a difference between a first detected voltage of a first temperature detection device array and a second detected voltage of a second temperature detection device array. The comparator is also configured to compare the computed difference with a pre-defined voltage range. The comparator is further configured to detect the fault in the battery based on the comparison.
[0007] In accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure, a
method of detecting a fault in a battery is provided. The method includes injecting a constant current through each of the temperature detection device array. The method also includes obtaining a voltage signal representative of temperature obtained from

a temperature detection devices array. The method further includes computing a difference between a first detected voltage representative of first temperature obtained from a first temperature detection device array and a second detected voltage representative of second temperature obtained from a second temperature detection device array. The method further includes comparing the computed difference with a predefined voltage threshold range. The method further includes detecting the fault in the battery based on the comparison.
[0008] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present disclosure, an
electric vehicle is provided. The electric vehicle includes a chassis. The electric vehicle also includes a plurality of wheels operatively coupled to the chassis. The electric vehicle further includes a steering operatively coupled to the plurality of wheels. The electric vehicle further includes an electric motor operatively coupled to the plurality of wheels. The electric vehicle further includes a battery operatively coupled to the electric motor. The battery is configured to drive the electric motor. The battery includes a plurality of battery cells arranged in a plurality of arrays. The electric vehicle further includes a fault detection system fabricated on a flexible printed circuit board and integrated with the battery. The fault detection system includes a plurality of temperature detection devices arranged in a plurality of temperature detection device arrays are operatively coupled to a plurality of battery cells arranged in a plurality of cell arrays. Each of the plurality of temperature detection device is operatively coupled to each of the corresponding battery cell. Each of the plurality of temperature detection devices is configured to sense a temperature of each of the corresponding battery cell. The fault detection system also includes a plurality of constant current sources electrically coupled to the plurality of temperature detection device arrays. Each of the plurality of constant current source is electrically coupled to each of the corresponding temperature detection device array. Each of the constant current source is configured to inject a constant current through each of the corresponding temperature detection device array. The fault detection system further includes a plurality of voltage detection devices electrically coupled to the plurality of temperature detection device arrays. Each of the plurality of voltage detection device is electrically coupled to each of the corresponding temperature detection device array. Each of the voltage detection device is configured to detect a voltage across each of the corresponding temperature

detection device array. The fault detection device further includes a comparator electrically coupled to the plurality of voltage detection devices. The comparator is configured to compute a difference between a first detected voltage of a first temperature detection device array and a second detected voltage of a second temperature detection device array. The comparator is also configured to compare the computed difference with a pre-defined voltage range. The comparator is further configured to detect the fault in the battery based on the comparison.
[0009] To further clarify the advantages and features of the present invention, a
more particular description of the invention will follow by reference to specific embodiments thereof, which are illustrated in the appended figures. It is to be appreciated that these figures depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting in scope. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the appended figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail with the accompanying figures in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of array of plurality of battery
cells arrays with associated temperature detection device array of a fault detection system (10) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a block diagram representation of a fault detection system in
accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the fault
detection system of FIG. 2, depicting an implementation of the at least one switch in the system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of one embodiment of the fault
detection system of FIG. 2, depicting an implementation of the system on a flexible printed circuit board in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an exemplary system to detect fault
in a battery of FIG. 2, depicting an implementation of the system in an electric vehicle in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0015] FIG. 6 is a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method for
detecting a fault in a battery of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0016] Further, those skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures
are illustrated for simplicity and may not have necessarily been drawn to scale. Furthermore, in terms of the construction of the device, one or more components of the device may have been represented in the figures by conventional symbols, and the figures may show only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the figures with details that will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the description herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the
invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the figures and specific language will be used to describe them. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated system, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as would normally occur to those skilled in the art are to be construed as being within the scope of the present invention.
[0018] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the invention and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.
[0019] The terms "comprises", "comprising", or any other variations thereof, are
intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process or method that comprises a list of steps does not include only those steps but may include other steps not expressly listed or inherent to such a process or method. Similarly, one or more

devices or sub-systems or elements or structures or components preceded by "comprises... a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of other devices, sub-systems, elements, structures, components, additional devices, additional sub-systems, additional elements, additional structures or additional components. Appearances of the phrase "in an embodiment", "in another embodiment" and similar language throughout this specification may, but not necessarily do, all refer to the same embodiment.
[0020] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein
have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which this invention belongs. The system, methods, and examples provided herein are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting.
[0021] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below in detail
with reference to the accompanying figures.
[0022] In the following specification and the claims, reference will be made to a
number of terms, which shall be defined to have the following meanings. The singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0023] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a fault detection system to
detect a fault in a battery. The system includes a plurality of temperature detection devices arranged in a plurality of temperature detection device arrays are operatively coupled to a plurality of battery cells arranged in a plurality of cell arrays. Each of the plurality of temperature detection device is operatively coupled to each of the corresponding battery cell. Each of the plurality of temperature detection devices is configured to sense a temperature of each of the corresponding battery cell. The system also includes a plurality of constant current sources electrically coupled to the plurality of temperature detection device arrays. Each of the plurality of constant current source is electrically coupled to each of the corresponding temperature detection device array. Each of the constant current source is configured to inject a constant current through each of the corresponding temperature detection device array. The system further includes a plurality of voltage detection devices electrically coupled to the plurality of temperature detection device arrays. Each of the plurality

of voltage detection device is electrically coupled to each of the corresponding temperature detection device array. Each of the voltage detection device is configured to detect a voltage across each of the corresponding temperature detection device array. The system further includes a comparator electrically coupled to the plurality of voltage detection devices. The comparator is configured to compute a difference between a first detected voltage of a first temperature detection device array and a second detected voltage of a second temperature detection device array. The comparator is also configured to compare the computed difference with a pre-defined voltage range. The comparator is further configured to detect the fault in the battery based on the comparison.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a block diagram representation of a plurality of battery cells (30)
associated with a plurality of temperature detection devices (20) of a fault detection system (10) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fault detection system (10) includes a plurality of temperature detection devices (20) which is operatively coupled to a plurality of battery cells (30). Each of the plurality of temperature detection device (20) is configured to sense a temperature of each of the corresponding battery cell (30). Furthermore, the plurality of temperature detection devices (20) are electrically coupled in parallel to each other.
[0025] FIG. 2 is a block diagram representation of a system (10) to detect a fault
in a battery (15) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The fault detection system (10) includes a plurality of temperature detection devices (20) arranged in a plurality of temperature detection device array (25) which is operatively coupled to a plurality of battery cells (30) arranged in a plurality of cell arrays (40). In one embodiment, the plurality of battery cells (30) may include a plurality of lithium ion cells. In a specific embodiment, the plurality of battery cells (30) in each cell array (40) may be electrically coupled in parallel to each other. Each of the plurality of temperature detection device (20) is operatively coupled to each of the corresponding battery cell (30). In one embodiment, the plurality of temperature detection devices (20) arranged in the temperature detection device array (25) may be electrically coupled in parallel to each other. A parallel connection of the plurality of cells (30) is a connection when a positive terminal of each of the plurality of cells are connected and form a common positive terminal. Similarly, a

negative terminal of each of the plurality of cells are connected to form a common negative terminal.
[0026] Each of the plurality of temperature detection devices (20) is configured
to sense a temperature of each of the corresponding battery cell (30). In some embodiments, the plurality of temperature detection devices (20) may include a Negative Temperature Co-efficient (NTC) thermistor. As used herein, the NTC thermistor is a resistor which has the property of reducing resistance with higher temperature and increasing resistance with lower temperature.
[0027] Furthermore, the system (10) includes a plurality of constant current
sources (50) which is electrically coupled to the plurality of temperature detection device array (25). Each of the plurality of constant current source (50) is electrically coupled to each of the corresponding temperature detection device array (25). Each of the constant current source (50) is configured to inject a constant current through each of the corresponding temperature detection device array (25). In some embodiments, each of the temperature detection device (20) may be configured to detect the cell temperature of each of the corresponding plurality of battery cells (30), wherein the cell temperature is proportional to a magnitude of the current received from the constant current source (50). The system (10) further includes a plurality of voltage detection devices (60) electrically coupled to the plurality of temperature detection device arrays (25). Each of the plurality of voltage detection device (60) is electrically coupled to each of the corresponding temperature detection device array (25). Each of the voltage detection device (60) is configured to detect a voltage across each of the corresponding temperature detection device array (25). In one embodiment, the plurality of voltage detection devices (40) may include Analog to Digital Converters.
[0028] The system (10) further includes a comparator (70) electrically coupled to
the plurality of voltage detection devices (60). The comparator (70) is configured to compute a difference between a first detected voltage of a first temperature detection device array (80) and a second detected voltage of a second temperature detection device array (90). In a specific embodiment, the second temperature detection device array (90) may be adjacent to the first temperature detection device array (80). The comparator (70) is also configured to compare the computed difference with a pre-

defined voltage range. The comparator (70) is further configured to detect the fault in the battery based on the comparison. The comparator (70) detects the fault when the computed difference exceeds the pre-defined voltage range. In some embodiments, the system (10) may include at least one switch (FIG. 2) electrically coupled to the battery. One such embodiment of the switch is described in FIG. 3.
[0029] FIG. 3 is a block diagram representation of one embodiment (95) of the
fault detection system (10) of FIG. 2, depicting implementation of the at least one switch (100) in the system (10) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The switch (100) is configured to disconnect at least one array of the plurality of cells (30) from a load (115) upon detection of the fault in the battery (15) by the comparator (70). The controller (110) is configured to control an operation of the at least on switch (100).
[0030] Referring back to FIG. 2, in one embodiment, the fault detection system
(10) may be fabricated on a flexible printed circuit board (FIG. 4). One such embodiment of the flexible printed circuit board is described in FIG. 4.
[0031] FIG. 4 is a schematic representation of one embodiment (105) of the fault
detection system (10) of FIG. 2, depicting implementation of the system (10) on a flexible printed circuit board (120) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The flexible printed circuit board (120) is integrated with the battery (FIG. 3). In a specific embodiment, the flexible printed circuit board (120) may be a polyimide flexible printed circuit board. The flexible printed circuit board (120) is located on top of a positive terminal (140) or a negative terminal (130) of the each of the plurality of cell (30). The flexible printed circuit board (30) may have a thickness of around 0.1 millimetre which provide electrical insulation but thermal conduction for heat transfer from the plurality of cells (30) to the plurality of temperature detection devices (20).
[0032] FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of an exemplary system (10) to detect
fault in a battery (15) of FIG. 1, depicting an implementation of the system (10) in an electric vehicle (160) in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The electric vehicle (160) includes a chassis (170). The electric vehicle (160) also includes a plurality of wheels (180) operatively coupled to the chassis (170). The

electric vehicle (160) further includes a steering (190) operatively coupled to the plurality of wheels (180). The electric vehicle (160) further includes an electric motor (200) operatively coupled to the plurality of wheels (180). The electric vehicle (160) further includes a battery (15) operatively coupled to the electric motor (200). The battery (15) is configured to drive the electric motor (200). The battery (15) includes a plurality of battery cells (FIG. 3) arranged in a plurality of arrays (40). In a specific embodiment, the plurality of battery cells in each cell array (40) may be electrically coupled in parallel to each other.
[0033] Furthermore, the electric vehicle (160) further includes a fault detection
system (10) fabricated on a flexible printed circuit board (FIG. 3) and integrated with the battery (15). In some embodiments, the flexible printed circuit board is located on top of a positive terminal or a negative terminal of the cell. The fault detection system (10) includes a plurality of temperature detection devices (20) arranged in a temperature detection device array (25) and operatively coupled to a plurality of battery cells arranged in a plurality of cell arrays (40). Each of the plurality of temperature detection device (20) is operatively coupled to each of the corresponding battery cell. In a specific embodiment, the plurality of temperature detection devices (20) operatively coupled to corresponding battery cells in each cell array (30) may be electrically coupled in parallel to each other. Each of the plurality of temperature detection devices (20) is configured to sense a temperature of each of the corresponding battery cell.
[0034] Moreover, the fault detection system (10) also includes a plurality of
constant current sources (50) electrically coupled to the plurality of temperature detection device array (25). Each of the plurality of constant current source (50) is electrically coupled to each of the corresponding temperature detection device array (25). Each of the constant current source (50) is configured to inject a constant current through each of the corresponding temperature detection device array (25). In some embodiments, each of the temperature detection device (20) may be configured to provide the cell temperature of each of the corresponding plurality of battery cells (30), wherein the cell temperature is proportional to a magnitude of the current received from the each of the plurality of constant current source (50).

[0035] The fault detection system (10) further includes a plurality of voltage
detection devices (60) which are electrically coupled to the plurality of temperature detection device arrays (25). Each of the plurality of voltage detection device (60) is electrically coupled to each of the corresponding temperature detection device array (25). Each of the voltage detection device (60) is configured to detect a voltage across each of the corresponding temperature detection device array (25).
[0036] The fault detection system (110) further includes a comparator (70) which
is electrically coupled to the plurality of voltage detection devices (60). The comparator (70) is configured to compute a difference between a first detected voltage of a first temperature detection device array (80) and a second detected voltage of a second temperature detection device array (90). In one embodiment, the comparator (70) may compute the difference between voltage signals representative of the temperature across adjacent arrays. The comparator (70) is also configured to compare the computed difference with a pre-defined voltage range. The comparator (70) is further configured to detect the fault in the battery (15) based on the comparison. The comparator (70) detects the fault when the computed difference exceeds the pre-defined voltage range. In some embodiments, the system (10) may include at least one switch (FIG. 2) electrically coupled to the battery (15). The switch is configured to disconnect at least one array (40) of the plurality of cells from a load upon detection of the fault in the battery (15) by the comparator (70).
[0037] FIG. 6 is a flow chart representing the steps involved in a method (250)
for detecting a fault in a battery of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The method (250) includes injecting a constant current through each of the temperature detection device array in step 260. The method also includes obtaining a voltage signal representative of temperature obtained from a temperature detection devices array in step 270. The method further includes computing a difference between a first detected voltage representative of first temperature obtained from a first temperature detection device array and a second detected voltage representative of second temperature obtained from a second temperature detection device array in step 280. In one embodiment, obtaining the array voltage signal representative of the temperature corresponding to each of the plurality of array of cells in the battery may include obtaining voltage across the temperature

detection devices array using a voltage detection device. In some embodiments, the method (250) may include detecting the temperature of each of the corresponding plurality of battery cells, wherein the cell temperature is proportional to a magnitude of the current received by the temperature detection device monitoring the cell.
[0038] The method (250) further includes computing a difference between a first
detected voltage representative of first temperature obtained from a first temperature detection device array and a second detected voltage representative of second temperature obtained from a second temperature detection device array in step 280. In a specific embodiment, computing the difference between the first voltage signal representative of the first temperature obtained from the first temperature detection device array and the second voltage signal representative of the second temperature obtained from the second temperature detection device array may include computing the difference between voltage signals representative of the temperature of a first cell array and a second cell array in the battery.
[0039] The method (250) further includes comparing the computed difference
with a predefined voltage threshold range in step 290. The method (250) further includes detecting the fault in the battery based on the comparison in step 300. In one embodiment, the method (250) may include disconnecting at least one array of the plurality of cells in the battery upon detecting the fault in the battery.
[0040] Various embodiments of the system and method to detect a fault in a
battery as described above enables an accurate and reliable method to detect fault in the battery to prevent catastrophic hazards by detecting over heat of at least one of the plurality of cells in the battery pack.
[0041] Furthermore, the fault detection system offers minimal hindrance to
thermal management of the battery pack as the system is fabricated on a flexible printed circuit board within the battery. The flexible printed circuit board provides electrical insulation but thermal conduction for heat transfer from the plurality of cells to the plurality of temperature detection devices
[0042] In addition, the system is cost effective as the system requires fewer
components for fault detection in the battery.

[0043] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing general
description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory of the disclosure and are not intended to be restrictive thereof.
[0044] While specific language has been used to describe the invention, any
limitations arising on account of the same are not intended. As would be apparent to a person skilled in the art, various working modifications may be made to the method in order to implement the inventive concept as taught herein.
[0045] The figures and the foregoing description give examples of embodiments.
Those skilled in the art will appreciate that one or more of the described elements may well be combined into a single functional element. Alternatively, certain elements may be split into multiple functional elements. Elements from one embodiment may be added to another embodiment. For example, order of processes described herein may be changed and are not limited to the manner described herein. Moreover, the actions of any flow diagram need not be implemented in the order shown; nor do all of the acts need to be necessarily performed. Also, those acts that are not dependent on other acts may be performed in parallel with the other acts. The scope of embodiments is by no means limited by these specific examples.

WE CLAIM:
1. A fault detection system (10) to detect a fault in a battery comprising:
a plurality of temperature detection devices (20) arranged in a plurality of temperature detection device arrays (25) are operatively coupled to a plurality of battery cells (30) arranged in a plurality of cell arrays (40), wherein each of the plurality of temperature detection device (20) is operatively coupled to each of the corresponding battery cell (30), wherein each of the plurality of temperature detection devices (20) is configured to sense a temperature of each of the corresponding battery cell (30);
a plurality of constant current sources (50) electrically coupled to the plurality of temperature detection device array (25), wherein each of the plurality of constant current source (50) is electrically coupled to each of the corresponding temperature detection device array (25), and wherein each of the constant current source (50) is configured to inject a constant current through each of the corresponding temperature detection device array (25);
a plurality of voltage detection devices (60) electrically coupled to the plurality of temperature detection device arrays (25), wherein each of the plurality of voltage detection device (60) is electrically coupled to each of the corresponding temperature detection device array (25), wherein each of the voltage detection device (60) is configured to detect a voltage across each of the corresponding temperature detection device array (25);
a comparator (70) electrically coupled to the plurality of voltage detection devices (60), and configured to:
compute a difference between a first detected voltage of a first temperature detection device array (80) and a second detected voltage of a second temperature detection device array (90);
compare the computed difference with a pre-defined voltage range; and
detect the fault in the battery (15) based on the comparison.

2. The fault detection system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of battery cells (30) comprises a plurality of lithium ion cells.
3. The fault detection system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of battery cells (30) in each cell array (40) are electrically coupled in parallel to each other.
4. The fault detection system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of temperature detection devices (20) comprises a Negative Temperature Co-efficient (NTC) thermistor.
5. The fault detection system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of temperature detection devices (20) arranged in the temperature detection device array (25) are electrically coupled in parallel to each other.
6. The fault detection system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the temperature detection device (20) is configured to detect the cell temperature of each of the corresponding plurality of battery cells (30), wherein the cell temperature is proportional to a magnitude of the current received from the current source (50).
7. The fault detection system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of voltage detection devices (60) comprises an analog to digital converter.
8. The fault detection system (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fault detection system (10) is fabricated on a flexible printed circuit board (120) integrated with the battery (15), and wherein the flexible printed circuit board is located between a positive terminal (140) and a negative terminal of the cell (130).
9. The fault detection system (10) as claimed in claim 1, further comprises at least one switch (100) electrically coupled to the battery (15), wherein the switch (100) is configured to disconnect at least one array (40) of the plurality of cells (30) from a load upon detection of the fault in the battery (15) by the comparator (70).
10. A method (250) of detecting a fault in a battery comprising:

injecting a constant current through each of the temperature detection device array; (260)
obtaining a voltage signal representative of temperature obtained from a temperature detection devices array; (270)
computing a difference between a first detected voltage representative of first temperature obtained from a first temperature detection device array and a second detected voltage representative of second temperature obtained from a second temperature detection device array; (280)
comparing the computed difference with a predefined voltage threshold range; (290) and
detecting the fault in the battery based on the comparison. (300)
11. The method (250) as claimed in claim 10, wherein obtaining the array voltage signal representative of the temperature corresponding to each of the plurality of array of cells in the battery comprises obtaining voltage across the temperature detection devices array using a voltage detection device.
12. The method (250) as claimed in claim 10, further comprising detecting the temperature of each of the corresponding plurality of battery cells, wherein the cell temperature is proportional to a magnitude of the current received by the temperature detection device monitoring the cell.
13. The method (250) as claimed in claim 10, wherein computing the difference between the first voltage signal representative of the first temperature obtained from the first temperature detection device array and the second voltage signal representative of the second temperature obtained from the second temperature detection device array comprises computing the difference between voltage signals representative of the temperature of a first cell array and a second cell array in the battery.
14. The method (250) as claimed in claim 10, further comprising disconnecting at least one array of the plurality of cells in the battery upon detecting the fault in the battery.

15. An electric vehicle (160) comprising:
a chassis; (170)
a plurality of wheels (180) operatively coupled to the chassis (170);
a steering (190) operatively coupled to the plurality of wheels (180);
an electric motor (200) operatively coupled to the plurality of wheels (180);
a battery (15) operatively coupled to the electric motor (200) and configured to drive the electric motor (200), wherein the battery (15) comprises a plurality of battery cells (30) arranged in a plurality of cell arrays (40);
a fault detection system (10) fabricated on a flexible printed circuit board (120) and integrated with the battery (15), wherein the fault detection system (10) comprises:
a plurality of temperature detection devices (20) arranged in a plurality of temperature detection device arrays (25) are operatively coupled to a plurality of battery cells (30) arranged in a plurality of cell arrays (40), wherein each of the plurality of temperature detection device (20) is operatively coupled to each of the corresponding battery cell (30), wherein each of the plurality of temperature detection devices (20) is configured to sense a temperature of each of the corresponding battery cell (30);
a plurality of constant current sources (50) electrically coupled to the plurality of temperature detection devices arrays (25), wherein each of the plurality of constant current source (50) is electrically coupled to each of the corresponding temperature detection device array (25), and wherein each of the constant current source (50) is configured to inject a constant current through each of the corresponding temperature detection device array (25);

a plurality of voltage detection devices (60) electrically coupled to the plurality of temperature detection device arrays (25), wherein each of the plurality of voltage detection device (60) is electrically coupled to each of the corresponding temperature detection device array (25), wherein each of the voltage detection device (60) is configured to detect a voltage across each of the corresponding temperature detection device array (25);
a comparator (70) electrically coupled to the plurality of voltage detection devices (60), and configured to:
compute a difference between a first detected voltage of a first temperature detection device array (80) and a second detected voltage of a second temperature detection device array (90);
compare the computed difference with a pre-defined voltage range; and
detect the fault in the battery (15) based on the comparison.