CONNECTING AND DISCONNECTING LOAD UNITS

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a load unit arrangement having first and second load units to be carried by a vehicle, such as by a truck. In particularly the invention relates to a load unit arrangement, where the first and second load units can be moved in relation to each other and thereby connect or disconnect the load units by a driving device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to transport a skip or interchangeable load unit by a vehicle, such as a truck, unload or remove the load unit off the vehicle and then load another load unit to the vehicle. It is also known to transport a load system having first and second load units connected to each other, so loaded them on the top of each other.

However, the problem there is to disconnect the load units, so to take the upper load unit away from the top of the bottom load unit and lowering the upper load unit to the ground or other supporting level in an easy, safe and controlled way, and in other way to connect the load units so drag the load unit locating on the ground on the top of another load unit locating e.g. on the top of the vehicle. Often a space needed for the connecting or disconnecting is large, at least three or more times of the length of the load unit and the vehicle, because the load units and vehicle should be arranged sequentially into the ground. In addition, the systems need often remarkable, complex or expensive modifications for arrangement, which is tailored for connecting and disconnecting the load units. Typical modifications contain for example lifts or cranes, which increases mass of the whole arrangement, and the lifts or cranes are used only for connecting or disconnecting the load units. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to alleviate and eliminate the problems relating to the known prior art. Especially the object of the invention is to provide an arrangement, device and method for disconnecting the load units, so that the load unit can be lowered and guided to the ground in an easy, safe and controllable manner with no major additional modifications to the vehicle or to the load units. In addition, the object of the invention is also for enabling the connecting of the load units, so that the load unit can be lifted from the ground, for example, and guided to the top of another load unit, locating for example on a vehicle, in an easy, safe and controllable manner with no major additional modifications to the vehicle or to the load units. Further, the object of the invention is for enabling to lift the load unit lying on the ground to the vehicle.

In addition, one object is to minimize modifications for the existing systems so to provide the arrangement of the invention to the already existing systems, such as load units and trucks, such as to provide a one system for both connecting and disconnecting, as well as loading the load unit from the ground to the vehicle. Moreover, an additional object is to cover the load on the load unit and minimize air resistance at the same.

The object of the invention can be achieved by the features of independent claims.

The invention relates to an arrangement for moving the load units according to claim 1. In addition, the invention relates to a driving device and a cover, as well as a method for moving the load unit or load units according to claims 16, 17 and 19, respectively.

According to an embodiment of the invention a load unit arrangement is provided, where the load unit arrangement comprises at least first and second load units to be carried by a vehicle, such as by a truck or the like. Both the load units have first and second ends so the front ends and the rear ends. The load units are configured to move in relation to each other and in particularly so that the load unit to be disconnected (moving in/on top of another load unit) is configured to move in a first direction to disconnect the load units and to a second opposite direction to connect the load units. The first direction is essentially parallel with longitudinal axles of the load units when the load units are connected, so e.g. when the load units are top of each other and loaded on the vehicle.

According to an embodiment the arrangement comprises a driving device for disconnecting said load units when located on a top of each other, so e.g. when carried by the vehicle and also at least at the beginning of the disconnecting so when the first load unit locates on the top of the second load unit. According to an embodiment the driving device can also be used for connecting said load units when they are separated, so e.g. when the first load unit locates on the ground and the second load unit e.g. on the vehicle, whereupon for connecting the first load unit can be dragged and lifted on the top of the second load unit by the driving device. In addition, it is to be noted that the driving device can be used for loading a load unit lying on the ground to the top of the vehicle.

According to an advantageous embodiment the driving device is configured to be mounted to the first load unit. Advantageously the driving device comprises a mounting device for mounting the driving device to the first load unit in a detachable manner to prevent essentially a mutual movement of the driving device and the first load unit. The mounting device is for example mechanical mounting device, such as a latch locking device, a bolt, a chain, a rim screw, or the like, and the load units advantageously comprises corresponding structure or device to receive and lock the mounting device.

In addition, according to an embodiment, the arrangement or advantageously the driving device comprises a fastening device for connecting the driving device to the first end of the second load unit. When the driving device is mounted on the first load unit, then the first load unit is also connected via said fastening device to the second load unit. The fastening device is e.g. a chain, rope or strap or a winch or the like, the first end of which is coupled to the driving device and a second end of the fastening device is a free end and is configured to be fastened to the vehicle or advantageously to the first end of the second load unit. The length of the fastening device is configured to be lengthen and shorten, thereby allowing or driving the first load unit to move and thus disconnecting and/or connecting said load units, respectively.

It is to be noted that the second (free) end of the fastening device can be connected also elsewhere, such as to the vehicle, whereupon the first load unit to which said driving device is mounted, can be dragged on the vehicle, for example. In more details, for disconnecting the load units force having component in said first direction can be applied to the first load unit, whereupon the first load unit will slide in said first direction and wherein the sliding of the first load unit in said first direction is controlled by lengthening the length of the fastening device in a controllable manner. The force can be applied e.g. by fastening the first load unit somewhere, like a ground, and driving the vehicle to the second opposite direction, or the load units can be tilted so that the first load unit will slide in said first direction advantageously due to gravity. Also the second end of the first load unit can be connected to the ground or other basement in a stationary way, whereupon the first load unit will slide relatively to said first direction when the vehicle is driven to the second, opposite direction, for example. The sliding of the first load unit in said first direction is advantageously controlled by lengthening the length of the fastening device in a controllable manner. Furthermore, for connecting the load units the first load unit can be dragged or winched to the top of (or into) the second load unit in said second direction by shortening the length of the fastening device in a controllable manner. The same applies also for dragging or winching the first load unit on the top of the vehicle.

Advantageously the driving device comprises a reel to which said first end of the fastening device is coupled, whereupon the length of the fastening device can be adjusted, so lengthened or shortened, by winding the reel. In addition, the driving device advantageously comprises a winding device, such as a winch, for winding the reel. The winding device is advantageously a controllable motor, such as an electric, pneumatic or hydraulic motor, but also other controllable motor types known by the skilled person can be used. Of course, also manually windable winding device with a crank, for example, or a hoist or pulley can be used, but advantageously the operation, such as winding direction of the winding device can be controlled remotely, such as wirelessly using a controlling device, or controlling software or a controlling application to control the operation of the controllable motor driving said reel. Moreover, the driving device may also comprise an energy storage, such as a battery or pressure accumulator, as well as a control unit for controlling the operation of the winding device, for example, as well as advantageously also other devices for reading data of the detectors detecting tension and position of the fastening device and position of the load unit or load units. It is to be understood that the arrangement may alternatively or in addition to said energy storage have an intake for receiving energy (electric, pneumatic or hydraulic, for example) outside the arrangement.

So, for disconnecting the load units the length of the fastening device is lengthened by winding the winding device to a first direction, such as to clockwise, whereupon lengthen the fastening device guides the first load unit down to the ground. For connecting the load units, or dragging the load unit from the ground to the vehicle or otherwise moving the load unit, the length of the fastening device is shortened by winding the winding device to a second opposite direction, such as to counter clockwise, whereupon shorten the fastening device guides the first load unit up to (or into) the second load unit, or to the vehicle, from the ground, for example.

After disconnecting the load units the driving device can be dismounted from the first load unit. In addition, the length of the fastening device can then be shortened so to drag the driving device on the top of the second load unit for example when being on the top of the vehicle, or to the top of the vehicle.

According to an advantageous embodiment the driving device is a cover, which can be used for covering the load unit. The cover has first and second ends, which can be arranged so that during covering the first load unit the first ends of the first load unit and the cover, as well as the second ends of the first load unit and the cover are essentially aligned to each other.

It is to be noted that according to an embodiment the cover may have a bottom rail which is compatible with a skip system (trails on the body of the vehicle used typically receive the load unit) of the vehicle so that the cover can be carried by the vehicle as such. The cover may also have a hook system compatible with the hook system of the vehicle so that the cover can be lifted on the vehicle by the vehicle hook system. In addition, the cover can be moved to, on and from the top of the load unit locating on the ground by the hook system of the vehicle. When the cover is mounted on the load unit located on the ground, the load unit can be then moved, such as lifted to the vehicle by dragging the cover by the hook system. In addition, it is to be noted that the cover may also have an opening in the first end so that there is space enough for the vehicle hook system to be operated and thereby minimising situations where the structure of the cover will be broken by the vehicle hook system, for example if the vehicle hook system is extended too far backwards over the load unit having the cover. According to an advantageous embodiment the arrangement, more advantageously the driving device or most advantageously the cover, comprises a tension detector for determining tension of the fastening device. Thus, for example when the tension measured by the tension detector is below a first predetermined threshold value, lengthening of the fastening device is advantageously stopped. This may happen for example when the second end of the first load unit to be disconnected hits the ground and does not slide along the ground surface. When the lengthening of the fastening device is stopped, extensive loosening of the fastening device can be prevented and thereby also possible accidents can be prevented, for example fallen of the first end of the first load unit from the top of the second load unit. In addition, when the tension measured by the tension detector is above a second predetermined threshold value, shortening of the fastening device is advantageously stopped. This may happen for example if the load unit or driving device or cover gets stuck somehow. When the shortening of the fastening device is stopped, tightening of the fastening device too much or extensive tension of the fastening device can be prevented and thereby also possible accidents can be prevented. Overall, it is much safer when there is a tension in the fastening device so that the fastening device would be in a controlled state. Advantageously the tension is between the first and second threshold values during the operation.

According to an embodiment the arrangement, more advantageously the driving device or most advantageously the cover comprises a position detector for detecting position of the load unit, such as an angle detector for detecting angle of the load unit or other sensing device for determining of the position of the load unit, such as camera, capacitive sensor, distance detector or the like. In particularly, the position detector is used for detecting whether the load unit is on the ground, for example after disconnecting and lowering it. Furthermore, the arrangement is advantageously configured to open the locking of the mounting device when the position detector indicates that the load unit is lowered to the ground and the tension detector indicates that the tension of the fastening device is below a third threshold value, said third threshold value being between said first and second threshold values. Also, other indicator can be used for detecting, whether the load unit is on the ground and there is no excessive tension on the fastening device. When the load unit is on the ground and the locking of the mounting device is opened, the length of the fastening device can then be shortened thereby dragging the driving device away from the top of the load unit and for example again to the top of the second load unit or on the vehicle. Most advantageously all the functionality, such as position detector, tension detector, operator for operating the fastening device, such as a winch system for winding the fastening device (like a chain or the like) are integrated in and comprised by the cover.

It is to be noted that the position sensor or motion detector, for example, can be used for detecting movement of the vehicle and providing signals which can be used for controlling the operation of the winding device so that the length of the fastening device is adjusted, such as lengthened, in the same rate as the vehicle moves, whereupon the controlled movement of the first load unit away (disconnecting) from the top of the second load unit or the vehicle can be obtained.

According to an embodiment, the driving device, advantageously a cover, comprises a scanning device, which is configured to scan the load of the load unit when the cover is moved on the top of the load unit. According to an embodiment, the cover can be moved on the top of the load unit e.g. with a hook system of the vehicle, whereupon the cover comprises a cover hook system compatible with a vehicle hook system of the vehicle. The cover may also be lifted on and off the vehicle as well as on and off the load unit by the vehicle and cover hook systems.

According to an embodiment, when the driving device, advantageously the cover, is mounted to the first load unit, the scanning device is configured to scan the load of the second load unit when the first load unit is moved with the driving device on the top of the second load unit. The scanning device may be e.g. a laser scanner, camera, radiation detector, capacitive sensor, humidity sensor, magnetic sensor, or ultrasound detector.

According to an embodiment also an arrangement for selecting or proposing a disposal site for a load carried by a load unit is provided. The arrangement for selecting or proposing a disposal site comprises a load scanning device, a data analysing device and connection to a database comprising information of a disposal site. In addition, the arrangement additionally comprises a cover for covering a load unit to be carried by a vehicle, wherein said cover is configured to be moved on the top of the load unit in a first direction being essentially parallel with the longitudinal axis of the load unit for connecting and in a second opposite direction for disconnecting said cover and the load unit. The cover comprises the load scanning device, and the load scanning device is configured to scan the load of the load unit when the cover is moved on the top of the load unit. The data of the load scanned by the scanning device is communicated to the analysing device, and the analysing device analyses a type of the load and location of the load unit and based on the database data and the analysed load data select at least one proposed disposal site for the load carried by a load unit.

The present invention offers advantages over the known prior art, such as enables very easy, simple and fast way to disconnect or connect the load units, as well as lift and drag a load unit from the ground to the vehicle. Moreover, the present invention offers safe arrangement for connecting and disconnecting the load units, so to take the upper load unit away from the top of the bottom load unit by sliding and lowering the upper load to the ground in a controlled manner. In addition, the space needed for the connecting or disconnecting can be minimized by the current invention. Furthermore, also modifications needed for the already existing systems, such as load units, vehicles and trucks, are minimized so that only a separate driving device is needed to achieve the technical effects of the current invention for disconnecting and connecting the load units.

In addition, more advantages can be achieved with the embodiment where the driving device is a cover, namely the load unit can be covered by the cover of the invention, whereupon the load on the load unit can be covered and protected from the environment at the same. Also, the air resistance can be minimized when the load unit is covered by the cover. Furthermore, when the cover comprises e.g. a controllable winch system with the fastening device and additional detectors (like the position detector and tension detector and motion detector, for example) as well as the mounting device, all the functionality described in this document can be achieved by the cover. The cover may be provided with the cover hook system so that the cover can be lifted by the vehicle hook system on the vehicle and again moved on the top of the load unit locating on the ground. Further, the cover can be also dragged away from the load unit lowered to the ground and again to the top of the second load unit locating e.g. on the vehicle, when the second end of the fastening device is fastened to the first end of the second load unit. The functionality of the cover can be automatized so that a suitable application or controlling software or a controlling device used by a user may send commands to a control unit of the cover determining data measured by the detectors (like the position detector and tension detector and motion detector, for example) so that the control unit controls the operation of the winch and thereby the tension of the fastening device, as well as winding torque and winding direction of the winding device (so whether to lengthen or shorten the length of the fastening device) or controls the locking of the mounting device.

The exemplary embodiments presented in this text are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "to comprise" is used in this text as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also unrecited features. The features recited in depending claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific example embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Next the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1-3 illustrate a principle of an exemplary load unit arrangement for connecting the load units,

Figures 4-5 illustrate a principle of an exemplary driving device with an exemplary fastening device according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,

Figures 6-10 illustrate a principle of an exemplary load unit arrangement for disconnecting the load units with the help of the driving device according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, Figures 11-15 illustrate a principle of an exemplary cover as said driving device to be transferred on the top of a load unit according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention,

Figures 16-17 illustrate an exemplary mounting device for mounting the driving device to the load unit according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, and

Figures 18-27 illustrate an exemplary cover as said driving device according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figures 1-3 illustrate a principle of an exemplary load unit arrangement for connecting the load units 101 , 102, where the both load units 101 , 102 have first and second ends 101 A, 101 B, 102A, 102B, i.e. the front ends 101 A, 102A and the rear ends 101 B, 102B, as well as longitudinal axles 116 between the ends. In this example the first load unit 101 locating on the vehicle at the beginning is moved by the vehicle hook system 111 to the top of the second load unit 102 locating on the ground.

Figures 4-5 illustrate a principle of an exemplary driving device 104 with an exemplary fastening device 106, as well as Figures 6-10 illustrate a principle of an exemplary load unit arrangement 100 for disconnecting the load units 101 , 102 with the help of the driving device 104 according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention. It is to be noted that in these exemplary Figures the driving device 104 is a cover, but that the driving device 104 can also be implemented in other ways. Figures 1 1-27 illustrate a principle of an exemplary cover 104 as said driving device to be transferred on the top of a load unit according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention.

In Figures 4-5 the load units 101 , 102 are connected and they locate on the ground. Similarly, they could be located on the top of the vehicle 103. The first load unit 101 comprises a driving device 104, which is used for disconnecting said load units 101 , 102, as can be seen especially in Figures 6-10. The driving device 104 comprises also a fastening device 106, such as a chain or rope or the like, for connecting the driving device 104 to the first end 102A of the second load unit 102, as is the case e.g. in Figures 4-13. The driving device 104 is advantageously mounted on the first load unit 101 via a mounting device 107, which is illustrated in more details e.g. in Figures 16-17. Advantageously the driving device 104 comprises said mounting device 107 for mounting the driving device 104 to the first load unit 101 in a detachable manner. The mounting device 107 prevents essentially a mutual movement of the driving device 104 and the first load unit 101 and locks them to each other. The mounting device 107 is for example mechanical mounting device, such as a latch locking device, a bolt, a chain, a rim screw, or the like, and the load units 101 , 102 advantageously comprises corresponding structure or device to receive and lock the mounting device, as can be seen especially in Figures 16-17. Thus, when the driving device 104 is mounted to the first load unit 101 , as is the case in Figures 4-9 and the second end 106B of the fastening device 106 is connected to the first end 102A of the second load unit 102, then the first load unit 101 is also connected to the second load unit 102 via said fastening device 106.

In order to disconnect the load units 101 , 102 the load units 101 , 102 can be tilted, for example, as is the case in Figures 6-8 so that the first load unit 101 will slide in a first direction 115 advantageously due to gravity. Also the second end 101 B of the first load unit 101 can be connected to the ground or other basement in a stationary way, whereupon the first load unit 101 will slide relatively to said first direction 115 when the vehicle 103 is driven to a second, opposite direction 117, for example. The sliding of the first load unit 101 in said first direction 115 is advantageously controlled by lengthening the length of the fastening device 106 in a controllable manner.

Figures 4-5 illustrate the arrangement 100 in more details, where the driving device 104 comprises a reel 108 to which the first end 106A of the fastening device 106 is coupled. In addition, the driving device 104 comprises also a winding device 109, such as a winch, for winding the reel 108. Moreover, the driving device 106 comprise also an energy storage 120 and a control unit 123 for controlling the operation of the winding device 109. The controlling commands may be provided in a wireless way for example by a user outside the load unit or the driving device.

Thus, the length of the fastening device 106 can be adjusted, so lengthened or shortened, by winding the reel 108. So for disconnecting the load units the length of the fastening device 106 is lengthened by winding the winding device 109 to a first direction, for example to clockwise, whereupon lengthen the fastening device 106 guides the first load unit 101 down to the ground, as can be seen in Figures 6-9. For connecting the load units 101 , 102 the length of the fastening device 106 is shortened by winding the winding device 109 to a second opposite direction, so to counter clockwise, whereupon shorten the fastening device 106 guides and lifts the first load unit 101 to the second load unit from the ground, so the operation illustrated essentially in Figures 6- 9 but in reverse order.

After disconnecting the load units 101 , 102 the driving device 104 can be dismounted from the first load unit 101 by opening the locking of the mounting device 107, as is the case in Figure 10. After this, the length of the fastening device 106 can be shortened by winding the reel 108 to said second direction and thereby drag the driving device 104 to the second direction 117 and thus to the top of the second load unit 102, for example when being on the top of the vehicle 103, as is the case in Figures 11-13.

In Figures 14 and 15 it is illustrated when the fastening device 106 is wound to the reel 108 so to shorten the fastening device 106 and thereby to drag the driving device 104 to the second direction 117 and again to the top of the second load unit 102. Figure 16 is a rear view of the driving device 104 when it is dragged on the top of the second load unit (locking of the mounting device 107 is open). It can be seen that the design of the driving device 104 (so the cover) and the sides of the load units 101 , 102 are suitable for guiding the longitudinal movement of the driving device 104 in the direction 1 15, 117 parallel to said longitudinal axles 116 of the load units 101 , 102.

As can be seen in Figures 9 and 12, for example, the arrangement may also have a guiding device 105 arranged between the first end 101 A of the first load unit 101 and the second end 102B of the second load unit 102 and arranged during the disconnection to guide and lower the first end 101 A of the first load unit 101 to a ground or the like, when the length of the fastening device and lengthen. In addition, during connecting the load units 101 , 102 the guiding device 105 can be used to guide and lift the first end 101 A of the first load unit 101 (locating on the ground) to the top of the second end 102B of the second load unit 102 (locating on the vehicle). Furthermore, during the dragging of the driving device 104, such as the cover 104, from the first load unit 101 to the top of the second load unit (as is the case in Figure 9, where the cover is moved in the second direction 117), the guiding device 105 can be used for guiding the second end 104B of the cover 104 smoothly to the top of the second end 102B of the second load unit 102.

As illustrated in Figures, the guiding device 105 is advantageously coupled to the first end 101 A of the first load unit 101.

It is to be noted that both of the load units 101 , 102 may comprise the guiding device 105 in the first end 101 A, 102A of the load unit 101 , 102. The guiding device 105 is coupled to the first end of the load unit advantageously pivotally via a hinge, so that the guiding device 105 can be turned around the hinge between first and second, i.e. closed and open positions so that e.g. in Figure 7 the guiding device 105 of the first load unit 101 is in the open position and the guiding device 105 of the second load unit 102 is in the closed position.

Figures 18-27 illustrate an exemplary cover 104 as said driving device 104 according to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, which can be used for covering the load unit 101 , 102. The cover has first and second ends 104A, 104B, which can be arranged so that during covering the first load unit the first ends 101 A, 104A of the first load unit 101 and the cover 104, as well as the second ends 101 B, 104B of the first load unit 101 and the cover 104 are essentially aligned to each other, as is the case e.g. in Figures 3-10 and 27.

The cover 104 comprises a bottom rail 1 12 which is compatible with a skip system 113 of the vehicle 103 so that the cover can be carried by the vehicle as such, as is the case e.g. in Figure 23. The skip system 113 of the vehicle

103 has advantageously trails on the body of the vehicle 103 used typically receive the load unit 101 , 102, as can be seen in Figure 2 and 3. The cover

104 advantageously comprises a hook system 110 compatible with the hook system 111 of the vehicle 103 so that the cover 104 can be lifted on the vehicle 104 by the vehicle hook system110, 111. In addition, the cover 104 can be moved to, on and from the top of the load unit 101 , 102 locating on the ground by the hook system of the vehicle 111. When the cover 104 is mounted on the load unit 101 located on the ground, the load unit 101 can be then lifted to the vehicle 103 by dragging the cover 104 by the hook system. In addition, it is to be noted that the cover 104 may also have an opening 114 in the first end 104A so that there is space enough for the vehicle hook system 111 to be operated and thereby minimising situations where the structure of the cover will be broken by the vehicle hook system 1 11 , for example if the vehicle hook system 111 is extended too far backwards over the load unit having the cover. It is to be noted that the cover hook system 110 may be used without the fastening device for moving the cover (either mounted or unmounted to the load unit so with or without the load unit). However, in order to disconnect or connect the load units as described elsewhere in this document, the cover advantageously comprises also the fastening device and appropriate operating devices for adjusting the length of the fastening device, such as the reel and winding device for winding the reel, such as the winch.

As can be seen in Figures 5 and 20, the cover 104 comprises also a tension detector 118 for determining tension of the fastening device 106. The tension detector 118 can be implemented in different ways, such as by a spring loaded roll over which the fastening device is elongated to the first end 102A of the second load unit. Thus, when the stress or tension of the fastening device 106 is increased, the spring is either stretched or squeezed depending on the implementation between the first and second threshold values indicating the tension to be in between the first and second threshold values. The cover 104 may also comprise a position detector 119 for detecting position of the load unit 101. The position detector 119 may be e.g. an angle detector for detecting angles of the load unit 101 or a camera, capacitive sensor, distance detector or the like known by the skilled person of the position detectors.

Moreover, the cover 104 comprise also an energy storage 120, possibly memory mean and a control unit 123. The control unit 123 is advantageously configured to receive data from the detectors 118, 1 19 as well as possible controlling commands outside, such as from a user application (not shown) and thereby configured to control the operation of the mounting devices and especially the operation of the winding device as discussed elsewhere in this document. In particularly, the position detector is used for detecting whether the load unit is on the ground, for example after disconnecting and lowering the load unit. Furthermore, the control unit 123 is advantageously configured to open the locking of the mounting device 107 when the position detector 119 indicates that the load unit 101 is lowered to the ground and at the same the tension detector 118 indicates that the tension of the fastening device 106 is below the third threshold value.

When the load unit is on the ground and the control unit 123 is configured to control the locking of the mounting device to be opened. After this the control unit 123 is configured to operate the winding device 109 so to shorten, the length of the fastening device 106 and thereby drag the cover 104 away from the top of the load unit 101. The position detector 118 and/or the motion detector 119 can be used for detecting movement of the vehicle 103 as well as the movement of the load unit and providing signals to the control unit 123 which can be used for controlling the operation of the winding device 109 so that the length of the fastening device is adjusted, such as lengthened, in the same rate as the vehicle 103 moves, whereupon the controlled movement of the first load unit 101 away (disconnecting) from the top of the second load unit 102 or the vehicle 103 can be obtained.

In addition, the cover 104 may also comprise a scanner device 121 for scanning the load of the load unit, in particularly when the cover 104 is moved along the load unit 101 , 102. The scanner device 121 may be e.g. a laser scanner, camera, radiation detector, capacitive sensor, humidity sensor, magnetic sensor, ultrasound detector or X-ray detector or the like known by the skilled person for scanning the load. It is to be that the scanner device 121 may locate either in the first or second or both ends 104A, 104B of the cover. Thus, the rear scanner 121 (in the second end 104B) can scan the load of the first load unit, when the cover 104 is dragged away from the first load unit 101 , as is the case in Figure 11 and 12, for example. Further, the front scanner 121 (in the first end 104A) can scan the load of the second load unit, when the cover 104 is dragged to the top of the second load unit 102, as is the case in Figure 11 and 12, for example. Still, in addition the cover 104 may comprise a GPS or other positioning system 122 for positioning a location of the cover 104 and also the load unit when mounted geographically, reader 124 for reading ID information of the load unit, memory device 125 for storing data (like position of the cover or load unit scanned data of the load as well as the ID information of the load unit), and data communication device 126, advantageously wireless data communication device 126 for receiving and sending data, such as for receiving control commands for controlling the operation of the winding device and mounting device and for sending read data such as data of the scanned load, location of the cover or the load unit and ID information of the load unit to which said cover is mounted, it is to be understood that these are only examples, and the invention is not limited to these only.

The communication device 126 may communicate said data outside the cover, such as to the vehicle system 130 (Fig 21 ) or even to a data cloud system 128 (Fig 20) and an outer data management and analysing systems 129. Thus, for example the arrangement may analyse a type and/or quantity or volume of the load of the load unit 101 remotely, as well as the location of the load unit and identification information of the load unit and keep database of the data.

In addition, the arrangement may have a connection to a disposal site database 131 comprising information of disposal sites. The arrangement, e.g. the management and analysing systems 129 may be configured to make for example proposals or recommendations of the disposal sites based on the data of the load and data on the disposal site database. The recommendation can be communicated back to the cover or the vehicle system 130 for the user or driver of the vehicle.

Still, it is to be noted that the cover 104 may have a cover hook system 110, but it is advantageously an additional device, whereupon the cover 104 can be operated in certain limit with the vehicle hook system 111 , as is depicted especially in Figures 21-27. The vehicle hook system 110, if used, is advantageously hinged via a hinge 127 to the cover so that it can be moved in an open and closed position so that e.g. in Figure 27 it is in the closed position and in the Figure 26 it is in the open position.

The invention has been explained above with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, and several advantages of the invention have been demonstrated. It is clear that the invention is not only restricted to these embodiments, but comprises all possible embodiments within the spirit and scope of the inventive thought and the following patent claims.

The features recited in dependent claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.