SE543826C2

SE543826C2 - Electronic pallet with internal safeguarding function

Info

Publication number: SE543826C2
Application number: SE1851582A
Authority: SE
Inventors: André Claesson; Linus Ährlig; Mikko Kallio; Morgan Colling; Robert Sjödin; Sami Teppola; Tomas Skeppström
Original assignee: Scania Cv Ab
Priority date: 2018-12-14
Filing date: 2018-12-14
Publication date: 2021-08-03
Also published as: DE112019005622T5; WO2020122786A1; CN113039128A; SE1851582A1

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to techniques in the context of vehicles, and to an electronic pallet for transporting stacked objects. According to a first aspect, the disclosure relates to a method, performed by a control device (96) in an electronic pallet (90), for safeguarding the electronic pallet (90) when the electronic pallet (90) is loaded on vehicle (1). The electronic pallet (90) comprises an energy storage device (95) configured to exchange energy with the vehicle (1). The method comprises detecting (S1) a displacement of the electronic pallet (90) and activating (S3) a safeguarding function in the electronic pallet (90) based on the detected displacement. The disclosure also relates to an electronic pallet (90), to a computer program for performing the proposed methods and to a computer program product.

Description

Electronic pallet with internal safeguarding function Technical field The present disclosure relates to techniques in the context of vehicles, and to anelectronic pallet for transporting stacked objects. The disclosure also relates to acorresponding method and to a computer program for performing the proposedmethod.

Backgroundln vehicle transportation, pallets are commonly used to move goods from place to place (e.g., Warehouse to retail store). When a desired amount of goods has beenloaded or stacked on the pallet, a fork lift, hand jack, or other device is typicallyslid under and/or through the pallet such that the pallet can be lifted vertically offthe ground. When hoisted up, the pallet and the products stacked thereon may betransported to a storage area in a Warehouse, loaded onto a truck used todistribute the goods, or taken to some other location as desired. Using pallets,numerous products may be conveniently moved and stored in groups to increase shipping and transportation delivery.

However, loss of goods due to theft during transportation on vehicles is arecognized problem, as pallets may relatively easily be unloaded using a fork liftor similar. One way of preventing theft is to equip the pallets with electronic tags,that enables tracking the pallets. For example, United States Patent ApplicationUS2008/103944 (A1) describes an intelligent pallet having an active RFID tagembedded therein. The pallet is used within a leasing system and/or an inventorymanagement system. However, with the increasing use of autonomous vehicleswhere no driver is present that can prevent the theft, further measures to alsoactually prevent the theft beforehand are also desirable.

Summarylt is an object of the disclosure to alleviate at least some of the drawbacks with the prior art. Thus, it is an object to provide a solution that prevents a pallet loaded ona vehicle from being stolen and that makes it easy to track the pallet if it is stolen. 2 According to a first aspect, the disclosure relates to a method, performed by acontrol device in an electronic pallet, for safeguarding the electronic pallet whenthe electronic pallet is loaded on a vehicle. The electronic pallet comprises anenergy storage device configured to exchange energy with the vehicle. Themethod comprises detecting a displacement of the electronic pallet and activatinga safeguarding function in the electronic pallet based on the detecteddisplacement. Thereby, theft of the electronic pallet can be prevented. ln contrastto prior art solutions, the safeguarding function is performed by the electronicpallet itself and not by an off-board system. The detecting comprises detecting adisplacement of the electronic pallet in relation to the vehicle. Thereby, unloadingof the goods, which may be an indication of theft, may be detected. ln some embodiments, the method comprises determining whether the detecteddisplacement is permissible and activating of the safeguarding function isperformed in response to determining that the displacement is impermissible.Thereby, the safeguarding function will not be activated upon a permissible displacement, such as unloading of the pallet. ln some embodiments, the detecting of the displacement comprises detectinginterruption of an electrical connection or a wireless communication connectionbetween the electronic pallet and the vehicle. These are simple ways of detectingthe displacement, that does not require complex hardware that may be broken or destroyed. ln some embodiments, the method comprises obtaining position data defining aposition of the electronic pallet, and one or more allowed routes of the electronicpallet and the detecting of the displacement comprises detecting a deviation of theobtained position from the one more allowed routes of the electronic pallet.Thereby, the safeguarding function may be activated if someone steals the entirevehicle and drives away with the electronic pallet (and the goods). 3 ln some embodiments, the activating comprises disabling energy outtake from theand/or charging of the energy storage device. Thereby, the electronic pallet will be unusable when stolen. ln some embodiments, the activating comprises Iocking the electronic pallet to thevehicle. Thereby, theft of the electronic pallet may be prevented. ln some embodiments, the activating comprises sending an alert to an externaldevice. Thereby, people in the surroundings, e.g. a driver of the vehicle, will bemade aware about the displacement. ln some embodiments, the activating comprises inactivating a vehicle, on whichthe electronic pallet is loaded or obstructing unloading of the electronic pallet or the goods therein_ According to a second aspect, the disclosure relates to an electronic pallet,configured to be loaded at a vehicle. The electronic pallet comprises an energystorage device, a detection arrangement and a control device. The energy storagedevice is configured to exchange energy with the vehicle. The detectionarrangement is configured to detect a displacement of the electronic pallet and thecontrol device is configured to activate a safeguarding function of the electronicpallet based on a displacement detected by the detection arrangement. Thedetection arrangement is configured to detect a displacement of the electronicpallet in relation to the vehicle. ln some embodiments, the control device is configured to determine whether thedetected displacement is permissible and to activate the safeguarding function inresponse to determining that the displacement is impermissible. ln some embodiments, the detection arrangement comprises a positioning deviceconfigured to determine a position of the electronic pallet and the control device isconfigured obtain one or more allowed routes of the electronic pallet and toactivate the safeguarding function in response to detecting a deviation of thedetermined position from the one or more obtained allowed routes. 4 ln some embodiments, the detection arrangement is configured to detect aninterruption of an electrical connection or of a wireless communication connection between the electronic pallet and the vehicle. ln some embodiments, the electronic pallet comprises a securing deviceconfigured to secure the electronic pallet to a vehicle at which the electronic palletis loaded and the control device is configured to lock the electronic pallet to the vehicle in response to detecting the displacement. ln some embodiments, the electronic pallet comprises a first communicationinterface configured to enable communication with a vehicle at which theelectronic pallet is loaded and the control device is configured to send adeactivation signal to the vehicle using the communication interface, based on the determined displacement. ln some embodiments, the electronic pallet comprises a second communicationinterface configured to enable communication with an external device and thecontrol device is configured to send an alert to an external device using the communication interface, based on the determined displacement. ln some embodiments, the control device is configured to disable energy outtakefrom the and/or charging of the energy storage device based on the detected the displacement. ln some embodiments, the control device is configured to turn off a vehicle onwhich the electronic pallet is loaded or to obstruct unloading of the electronic pallet or the goods therein.

According to a third aspect, the disclosure relates to a vehicle comprising the electronic pallet of the second aspect.

According to a fourth aspect, the disclosure relates to a computer programcomprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer,cause the computer to carry out the method according to the first aspect.

According to a fifth aspect, the disclosure relates to a computer-readable mediumcomprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computerto carry out the method according to the first aspect.

Brief description of the drawinqs Fig. 1 i||ustrates a vehicle carrying an electronic pallet.

Fig. 2 i||ustrates an electronic pallet.

Fig. 3 i||ustrates a flow chart of a method performed by a control device in anelectronic pallet.

Fig. 4 is a control device configured to implement the proposed method in more detail.

Detailed descriptionAn electronic pallet is a pallet that cannot only carry goods but that also can carry information e.g. about the goods on the pallet using e.g. an electronic tag that ismatched with a logistics information system. An electronic pallet typicallycorriprises an integrated energy storage such as a battery. The hattery generallypowers electronic circuitry such that the electronic pallet can send and receive signals using a transmitter and a receiver.

The energy storage ot an electronic pallet rnay also he used hy a vehicle on whichthe pallet is loaded. For example, the energy storage rnay he used to propel thevehicle. Therehyf, the energy' storage of the pallet tfviil allow the electric vehicle totravel a longer distance and avoid that the vehicle stands stili for a long tlnte to"charge" energy. The owner of the goods or pallet rnay then charge the energystorage on its ovvn prenfiises. This hasicaliyf means that the goods that aretransportecl can 'luliy or partly stand tor their ovvn energy consumption, i.e. theenergy required to transport the goods. An energy storage that is used to providepower for propeiling a vehicle needs to he ot a significant size, vvhich makes notonly the good, hut also the electronic pallet itself attractive to thieves.

This disclosure proposes an electronic pallet with internal energy storage comprising lauiit»in anti-thett protection. ivlore speciticaliy, this disclosure proposes 6 to activate a safeguarding function in the electronic pallet tipon detecting that apallet is lost, e.g. because the electronic pallet is removed the vehicle. Theproposed technique will now be described with reference to the figures.

Fig. 1 illustrates a vehicle 1, here a lorry, having an electronic pallet 90 carryinggoods 70 Ioaded thereon. A vehicle will normally transport a plurality of pallets,but for simplicity only one pallet is described in this example. The vehicle 1 isherein embodied as a Iorry, but it must be appreciated that the electronic pallet 90may be Ioaded on any manned or unmanned vehicle. The vehicle 1 may beautonomously or remotely operated. ln other words, it may be driverless. Anautonomous vehicle is for example controlled by an off-board system thatinstructs the vehicle to perform missions. A mission is e.g. to drive a routebetween a first position and a second position.

The vehicle 1 comprises a plurality of electrical systems and subsystems.However, for simplicity only some parts of the vehicle 1 that are associated withthe proposed method are shown in Fig. 1. Thus, the vehicle 1 of Fig. 1 comprisesan electrical engine 21, an energy storage device 22 and a control unit 20.

The electrical engine 21 is configured to propel, a possibly also to brake, the vehicle1. The energy storage device 22 is configured to supply power to the electrical engine 21.

The control unit 20 (or Electrical Control Unit, ECU) is basically a digital computerthat controls one or more electrical systems of the vehicle 1 based on e.g.information read from sensors and meters placed at various parts and in differentcomponents of the vehicle 1. ECU is a generic term for a control unit that is used inautomotive electronics for any embedded system that controls one or morefunctions of the electrical system or sub systems in a transport vehicle.

The control unit 20 illustrated in Fig. 1 is a control unit configured to control the load of the vehicle 1. 7 The control unit 20 typically comprises one or more communication interfaces.Typically, the control unit 20 comprises one interface, e.g. a Controller AreaNetwork, CAN, used to handle communication between the various control units inthe vehicle 1. The CAN uses a message-based protocol. Often, several connectedCAN networks are arranged in the vehicle 1. ln some embodiments, the control unit 20 also comprises an interface configuredto communicate with the electronic pallet 90. For example, the electronic paiiettypicaiiy perierms eeine kind ef fiende-shake with the control unit 20 of the vehicie 1upon ieadihg. Then energyf may be exchahged between the vehicie 1 ahd theelectronic paiiet 90 e.g. via an iridtictive interface (net shevvn).

Fig. 2 illustrates the electronic pallet 90 in further detail. The electronic palletcomprises a structural foundation, which allows handling and storage goods. Theelectronic pallet 90 is configured to be loaded at a vehicle 1. The electronic pallet90 comprises a securing device 91, a detection arrangement 92, an energy transferinterface 93, fork lift slots 94, an energy storage device 95 and a control device 96.

The energy storage device 95 is configured to power the various components ofthe electronic pallet 90. The energy storage device 95 is also configured toexchange energy with the vehicle 1. The energy storage device 95 may bothdeliver energy to and receive energy from the vehicle 1. This is typically done viathe energy transfer interface 93, which may be physically or inductively connectedto a corresponding interface (not shown) of the vehicle 1.

The securing device 91 is configured to secure the electronic pallet 90 to thevehicle 1 at which the electronic pallet 90 is loaded. For example, the securingdevice 91 is configured to lock the pallet to the vehicle 1 using electromagnetism.ln other words, in some embodiments the securing device 91 comprises anelectromagnet e.g. a coil wrapped around an iron core, that may be activatedusing an electric current generated by power provided the energy storage device95. Alternatively, a mechanic lock that can be activated (and deactivated) by anelectric actuator may be used. 8 The detection arrangement 92 is configured to detect a displacement of theelectronic pallet 90. ln some embodiments, the detection arrangement 92 isconfigured to detect a displacement of the electronic pallet 90 in relation to thevehicle 1. ln other words, the detection arrangement 92 may detect that the palletis separated from the vehicle 1, on which it is loaded. This may be done indifferent ways. ln some embodiments, the detection arrangement 92 is configuredto detect an interruption of an electrical connection or of a wireless communicationconnection between the electronic pallet 90 and the vehicle 1. For example, if ashort-range wireless connection (using e.g. Bluetooth or Near FieldCommunication, NFC) is established between the vehicle 1 and the electronicpallet 90 at loading, then this communication will be interrupted if the electronicpallet is unloaded. Hence, an interruption of the connection may serve as anindication about a displacement. ln the same way an interruption of an electricalconnection for energy transfer between the electronic pallet and the vehicle 1 isan indication of a displacement of the electronic pallet 90.

The detection arrangements alternatively use other types of sensors, e.g.proximity sensors or optical sensors, suitable to detect that the pallet is displaced in relation to the vehicle 1, e.g. unloaded from the vehicle. ln some embodiments, the detection arrangement 92 is comprises a positioningdevice 92a configured to determine a position of the electronic pallet 90. Thedisplacement of the pallet from the vehicle 1 may then be determined bycomparing the position of the pallet with a position of the vehicle 1. Alternatively, adisplacement in relation to e.g. a pre-defined route of a current mission may bedetermined. ln other words, in some embodiments the detecting S1 comprisesdetecting that both the electronic pallet 90 and the vehicle are lost.

The control device 96 is configured to control the operation of the electronic pallet90 and the components of the electronic pallet 90. Typically, the electronic pallet90 is arranged to receive data from and to send control data to the securing device 91, the detection arrangement 92, the energy transfer interface 93 and the energy storage device 95. ln particular, the control device 96 is configured to 9 activate a safeguarding function of the electronic pallet 90 based on adisplacement detected by the detection arrangement 92, as will now be described in further detail with reference to Fig. 3 and Fig. 4.

The proposed technique will now be described in further detail with reference tothe flow chart of Fig. 3. Fig. 3 illustrates a flow chart of a method performed by acontrol device 96 in an electronic pallet 90, for safeguarding the electronic pallet90 when the electronic pallet is loaded on vehicle 1, such as the vehicle of Fig. 1.The method is typically performed when the electronic pallet is carrying goods 70while transported by (i.e. loaded on) the vehicle 1. ln other words, the method isperformed when the electronic pallet 90 is loaded on a vehicle 1. ln someembodiments, there is an electrical and/or wireless connection is establishedbetween the electronic pallet 90 and the vehicle 1 upon loading.

The method is typically implemented as a computer program comprisinginstructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause thecomputer to carry out the method. According to some embodiments the computerprogram is stored in a computer-readable medium that comprises instructionswhich, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method.

The method comprises detecting S1 a displacement of the electronic pallet 90. A displacement may either be a displacement of the pallet in relation to the vehicle 1 or in relation to an allowed route or area, e.g. in relation to a pre-determined route.

Stated differently, the displacement is an indication that the electronic pallet 90 is lost or abducted from its owner. ln some embodiments, the detecting S1 comprises detecting a displacement ofthe electronic pallet 90 in relation to the vehicle 1. ln other words, the detectingcomprises that the pallet is separated from the vehicle 1, which typically meansthat the pallet has been unloaded. As described above, the electronic pallet istypically electronically paired with the vehicle 1, upon loading. The pairing meansthat communication is established between the vehicle and the electronic pallet. lO One way of detecting the displacement is to detect that such a communication isinterrupted. Another way to detect the displacement is to detect that the energytransfer over the energy transfer interface 93 is interrupted. This may e.g. be doneby measuring a current flow over the energy transfer interface 93. ln other words,in some embodiments, the detecting S1 of the displacement comprises detectinginterruption of an electrical connection or a wireless communication connection between the electronic pallet 90 and the vehicle 1. ln some embodiments, the method comprises obtaining S0 position data defininga position of the electronic pallet 90. A displacement from the vehicle 1 may thenbe detected by comparing the positioning data with a position of the vehicle 1. Theposition of the vehicle 1 is typically determined by a GPS of the vehicle 1 and maybe communicated from a control unit 20 of the vehicle to the control device 96. ln some embodiments the method comprises obtaining one or more allowedroutes of the electronic pallet 90. For example, the control device 96 receivesinformation about allowed routes from an off-board system. The routes may alsobe pre-programmed. For example, an electronic pallet 90 may only be allowed tobe moved within a certain region or country. The displacement is then thedetected by detecting a deviation of the obtained position from the one moreallowed routes of the electronic pallet 90. ln other words, the electronic pallet willbe considered to be displaced if it is moved away from, e.g. a predetermineddistance from, an allowed route or region. For example, if an electronic palletdeviates more than 1 km from a certain route it will be considered displaced.Alternatively, if the electronic pallet 90 leaves a certain community or country it will be considered displaced.

A detected displacement may be an indication that the electronic pallet 90 isstolen or is about to be stolen. Thus, a safe guarding function is activated in orderto try to attempt to prevent the theft. ln other words, the method further comprisesactivating S3 a safeguarding function in the electronic pallet 90 based on the detected displacement. ll However, in some embodiment, a detected displacement may be permissible, e.g.when unloading the vehicle, or when driving an alternate route due to certaintraffic circumstances. Thus, it may be needed to check if the detecteddisplacement is permissible. For example, if the displacement coincides with aplanned unloading or traffic jam, then the safeguarding function would not beactivated. ln other words, in some embodiments, the method comprisesdetermining S2 whether the detected displacement is permissible and activatingS3 of the safeguarding function is performed in response to determining that thedisplacement is impermissible.

There are many different ways to activate a safe-guarding function that attemptsto prevent or mitigate the theft. lt must be appreciated that for higher security,those ways may be combined.

One way is to simply inactivate the energy storage device 95. This may e.g. bedone by opening a controllable switch between the energy storage device 95 andthe energy transfer interface 93. ln other words, in some embodiments, theactivating S3 comprises disab|ing energy outtake from the and/or charging of theenergy storage device 95. This would make the electronic pallet 90 unusable and would hopefully cause a to refrain from stealing the pa||et.

Another option is to try to secure the electronic pallet 90 to the vehicle 1, when adisplacement is detected. This is e.g. done by controlling the securing device 91to secure the electronic pallet 90 to the vehicle 1. ln other words, in someembodiments, the activating S3 comprises locking the electronic pallet 90 to thevehicle 1.

Alternatively, or in addition the electronic pallet 90 may send an alert to anexternal system, informing about the displacement and/or its current position. Anoperator may then immediately take measures to prevent a theft. ln other words,in some embodiments, the activating S3 comprises sending an alert to an externaldevice. Another possibility is to activate a loud sound, e.g. a siren. 12 ln some embodiments, the activating S3 comprises inactivating a vehicle 1 atwhich the electronic pallet 90 is Ioaded or obstructing unloading of the electronicpallet 90 or the goods therein. For example, a current surge may be emitted thatmakes the casing of the electronic pallet 90 energized, whereby it will beinconvenient to unload or break up the electronic pallet 90. lf the pallet has beenstolen one option is to let the electronic pallet 90 generate a significant currentsurge to turn off or inactivate the vehicle 1 on which it is loaded.

Now to Fig. 4 which illustrates a control device 96 configured to implement theproposed method in more detail. ln some embodiments, the control device 96 is a“unit” in a functional sense. Hence, in some embodiments the control device 96 isa control arrangement comprising several physical control units that operate incorporation. The control device 96 comprises hardware and software. Thehardware basically comprises various electronic components on a Printed CircuitBoard, PCB. The most important of those components is typically a processor 961e.g. a microprocessor, along with a memory 962 e.g. EPROM or a Flash memorychip. The software is typically lower-level software code that runs in the microcontroller.

The control device 96, or more specifically the processor 961 of the control device96, is configured to cause the control device 96 to perform all aspects of themethod described above and below. This is typically done by running computerprogram code stored in the memory 962 in the processor 961 of the control device96.

More particularly, the control device 96 is configured to detect a displacement ofthe electronic pallet 90 and activating S3 a safeguarding function in the electronicpallet 90 based on the detected displacement. ln some embodiments, the control device 96 is configured to determine whetherthe detected displacement is permissible and to activate the safeguarding functionin response to determining that the displacement is impermissible. 13 ln some embodiments, the control device 96 is configured obtain one or moreallowed routes of the electronic pallet 90 and to activate the safeguarding functionin response to detecting a deviation of the determined position from the one or more obtained allowed routes. ln some embodiments, the control device 96 is configured to lock the electronicpallet 90 to the vehicle 1 in response to detecting the displacement, e.g. using the securing device 91. ln some embodiments, the control device 96 comprises a first communicationinterface 963a configured to enable communication with a vehicle 1 at which theelectronic pallet 90 is loaded. The first communication interface is e.g.implemented using Near-Field-Communication, NFC, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi. ln Someembodiments, the control device 96 is configured to send a deactivation signal tothe vehicle using the first communication interface 963a, based on the determined displacement. ln some embodiments, the control device 96 comprises a second communicationinterface 963b configured to enable communication with an external device, suchas an off-board system. The first communication interface is e.g. implementedusing 2G, 3G, 4G. and the control device 96 is configured to send an alert to anexternal device using the second communication interface 963b, based on thedetermined displacement. ln some embodiments, the second communication interface is integrated with, or same as, first communication interface. ln some embodiments, the control device 96 is configured to disable energyouttake from the and/or charging of the energy storage device 95 based on thedetected the displacement. For example, the control device is configured todeactivate the energy storage device 95 or simply opening a switch between theenergy storage device 95 and the and the energy transfer interface 93. ln someembodiments, the first and second communication interfaces 963a, 963b arephysically separated from the processor 961. For example, they may beimplemented as stand-alone circuits that are connected to the processor 961. 14 ln some embodiments, the control device 96 is configured to deactivate a vehicle1 on which the electronic pallet 90 is loaded or to obstruct unloading of theelectronic pallet 90 or the goods therein. This is e.g. done by controlling theenergy storage device 95 to emit a current surge on the energy transfer interface93. ln some embodiments, this disclosure relates to a vehicle 1 comprising electronic pallet 90 according to any one of these embodiments.

The terminology used in the description of the embodiments as illustrated in theaccompanying drawings is not intended to be limiting of the described method;control arrangement or computer program. Various changes, substitutions and/oralterations may be made, without departing from invention embodiments as defined by the appended claims.

The term “or” as used herein, is to be interpreted as a mathematical OR, i.e., asan inclusive disjunction; not as a mathematical exclusive OR, unless expresslystated otherwise. ln addition, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are to beinterpreted as “at least one”, thus also possibly comprising a plurality of entities ofthe same kind, unless expressly stated otherwise. lt will be further understood thatthe terms "includes", "comprises", "including" and/ or "comprising", specifies thepresence of stated features, actions, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more otherfeatures, actions, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/ orgroups thereof. A single unit such as e.g. a processor may fulfil the functions of several items recited in the claims.

Claims

1. Claims 1 _ 3. 4. A method, performed by a control device (96) in an electronic pallet (90), forsafeguarding the electronic pallet (90) when the electronic pallet is -loadedon_a vehicle (1 ), wherein the electronic pallet (90) comprises an energystorage device (95) configured to exchange energy with the vehicle (1 ), themethod comprising: - detecting (S1) a displacement of the electronic pallet (90), wherein thedetecting (S1) comprises detecting a displacement of the electronicpallet (90) in relation to the vehicle (1), and - activating (S3) a safeguarding function in the electronic pallet (90)based on the detected displacement. _ The method according to claim 1, comprising: - determining (S2) whether the detected displacement is permissibleand wherein the activating (S3) of the safeguarding function is performed inresponse to determining that the displacement is impermissible. The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the detecting(S1) of the displacement comprises detecting interruption of an electricalconnection or a wireless communication connection between the electronicpallet (90) and the vehicle (1 ). The method according to any of the preceding claims, comprising:- obtaining (S0) position data defining a position of the electronic pallet (90), and one or more allowed routes of the electronic pallet (90),and wherein the detecting (S1) of the displacement comprises detecting adeviation of the obtained position from the one more allowed routes of theelectronic pallet (90). 2 _ The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the activating comprises disabling energy outtake from the-and/or charging ofthe energy storage device (95). _ The method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the activating comprises Iocking the electronic pallet (90) to the vehicle (1 )_ _ The method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the activating comprises sending an alert to an external device. _ The method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the activating comprises turning off a vehicle (1) at which the electronic pallet (90) isloaded or obstructing unloading of the electronic pallet (90) or the goods therein. _ An electronic pallet (90), configured to be loaded at a vehicle (1), the electronic pallet (90) comprising: - an energy storage device (95) configured to exchange energy withthe vehicle (1), - a detection arrangement (92) configured to detect a displacement ofthe electronic pallet (90), wherein the detection arrangement (92) isconfigured to detect a displacement of the electronic pallet (90) inrelation to the vehicle (1), and - a control device (96) configured to activate a safeguarding functionof the electronic pallet (90) based on a displacement detected by thedetection arrangement (92). 10_The electronic pallet (90) according to claim 9, wherein the control device (96) is configured to determine whether the detecteddisplacement is permissible and to activate the safeguarding function in response to determining that the displacement is impermissible. 3 11.The electronic pallet (90) according to any one of claims 9 to 10, whereinthe detection arrangement (92) comprises a positioning device (92a)configured to determine a position of the electronic pallet (90) andwherein the control device (96) is configuredg obtain one or more allowedroutes of the electronic pallet (90) and to activate the safeguarding functionin response to detecting a deviation of the determined position from the one or more obtained allowed routes. 12.The electronic pallet (90) according to any one of claims 9 to 11, whereinthe detection arrangement (92) is configured to detect an interruption of anelectrical connection or of a wireless communication connection between the electronic pallet (90) and the vehicle (1 ). 13.The electronic pallet (90) according to any one of claims 9 to 12,comprising:- a securing device (91) configured to secure the electronic pallet (90)to a vehicle (1) at which the electronic pallet (90) is loaded and wherein the control device (96) is configured to lock the electronic pallet(90) to the vehicle (1) in response to detecting the displacement. 14.The electronic pallet (90) according to any one of claims 9 to 13,comprising: - a first communication interface (963a) configured to enablecommunication with a vehicle (1) at which the electronic pallet (90)is loaded, and wherein the control device (96) is configured to send a deactivationsignal to the vehicle using the first communication interface (963a), based on the determined displacement. 15.The electronic pallet (90) according to any one of claims 9 to 14, comprising: 4 - a second communication interface (963b) configured to enablecommunication with an external device,and wherein the control device (Qêêleß) is configured to send an alert toan external device using the second communication interface (963b),based on the determined displacement. 16.The electronic pallet (90) according to any of claims 9 to 15, wherein thecontrol device (96) is configured to disable energy outtake from theand/orcharging of the energy storage device (95) based on the detected-the displacement. 17.The electronic pallet (90) according to any of claims 9 to 16, wherein thecontrol device (96) is configured to turn off a vehicle (1) on which theelectronic pallet (90) is loaded or to obstruct unloading of the electronicpallet (90) or the goods therein based on the detected the displacement. 18.A vehicle (1) comprising the electronic pallet (90) according to any one of claims 9 to 17. 19.A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program isexecuted by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method of any one of the claims 1 to 8. 20.A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, whenexecuted by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the method of any one of the claims 1 to 8.