DESC:BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0001] Embodiments herein generally relate to a mechanical device, more particularly to a machine and method for storing and retrieving objects from storage racks.
Description of the Related Art
[0002] Automatic storage and retrieval systems are widely used in different industries where storage and retrieval of goods are large. Storage and shipping of goods is a process that is carried out in many ways for many purposes. Manufacturers generally store and deliver pallets that contain product cases within the manufacturer's distribution facility to fulfill orders for products. The most successful solution to improve work efficiency in the order fulfillment process is to use several forms of automated storage and retrieval systems and methods in a "goods-to-picker" process. The container is delivered to a workstation by mechanized means, where the picker (human or robot) places a case on a pallet for delivery to the retail store or delivers each to a retail store or an individual customer. In most cases, the goods are loaded on a tote/ bin, and a loaded tote/ bin is placed on a storage rack. Large-sized goods are placed on a pallet and the pallets are placed on the storage rack.
[0003] Pallets on the storage racks are handled by lifting devices, such as a crane, forklift, or reach truck. The items on the storage racks are to be handled by a competent operator in order to use the lifting equipment. Even when these devices are managed by qualified operators, there is still a possibility of mishaps and harm to the items during handling. Automating the procedure with the use of devices like stacker cranes, hoists, and lifts solves the issue. The deployment of such lifting machines necessitates precise layout planning, safety, upkeep, and scalability.
[0004] Software for warehouse management is used to automate the lifting machines. It is necessary to provide precise interaction between the lifting machine components and the warehouse management software. Massive collusion or an operation's failure results from such integration's failure. In order to handle a variety of items, which may call for various handling techniques or storage arrangements, lifting machines are necessary. It is difficult to design lifting devices that can handle a wide range of objects while also ensuring efficiency and safety. To guarantee that the lifting equipment continues to function, frequent maintenance is necessary. Developing lifting machines with little downtime during maintenance tasks, remote issue diagnosis, and simplicity of maintenance design are all difficult tasks.
[0005] Accordingly, there remains a need for an automatic storage and retrieval machine and method for handling objects from storage racks.
SUMMARY
[0006] Embodiments herein disclose an automatic storage and retrieval machine for handling minimum object loads. The automatic storage and retrieval machine includes a bottom carriage assembly, a driving assembly, a work handling device, and a crane mast assembly. The bottom carriage assembly is adapted to mount at least one machining plate to direct the automatic storage and retrieval machine on a rail. The bottom carriage unit mounts at least one rail guide wheel. The driving assembly is mounted on the bottom carriage assembly using the at least one machining plate. The work handling device is mounted on the bottom carriage assembly that handles at least one object to perform storage and retrieval. The crane mast assembly is mounted on the bottom carriage assembly and the housing. When in operation, the driving assembly drives (a) the automatic storage and retrieval machine on the rail to reach a destination rack position and (b) the work handling unit to a destination rack level position. The work handling device performs at least one storage or retrieval operation at the destination rack level when the automatic storage and retrieval machine reaches the destination rack position and the work handling device reaches the destination rack level position.
[0007] In some embodiments, the driving assembly includes at least two machining plates, a second driving shaft, and a traverse idler shaft. The at least two machining plates are mounted to form a housing to accommodate at least one of a first driving shaft that is mounted on the housing to drive the automatic storage and retrieval machine on the rail. The second driving shaft is mounted on the housing to drive the work handling unit on the crane mast assembly. The traverse idler shaft is mounted with the housing to provide a required tension of at least one of the first driving shaft or the second driving shaft.
[0008] In some embodiments, the crane mast assembly includes a ladder surface, a top guiding surface, a bottom surface, a front surface and a pair of side surfaces. The ladder surface accommodates a ladder. The top guiding surface accommodates at least one top guide wheel. The at least one top guide wheel runs on a top rail. The bottom surface is mounted on the driving assembly and the housing. The front surface is mounted with the work handling device. The front surface includes one or more guide rails for the work handling device. The pair of side surfaces that includes at least one structured opening.
[0009] In some embodiments, the bottom carriage assembly includes a pair of carriage channel beams that include one or more threaded holes to mount at least one of the driving assembly or the work handling device. The pair of carriage beams includes a first top end, a second top end, a third top end a fourth top end, a first bottom end, a second bottom end, a third bottom end and a fourth bottom end. The first top end and the third top end are mounted with a first guide wheel assembly. The second top end and the fourth top end are mounted with a second guide wheel assembly.
[0010] In some embodiments, the first guide wheel assembly and the second guide wheel assembly are mounted on a profile that couples the first top end and the third top end. Both ends of the carriage channel beams are mounted with guide wheels that are run on a web and a bottom flange of the rail. The first guide wheel assembly and the second guide wheel assembly are run on the web of the rail.
[0011] In some embodiments, the first bottom end of the carrier beam is mounted with a third guide wheel assembly and the second bottom of the carrier beam is mounted with a fourth guide wheel assembly. The third bottom end of the carrier beam is mounted with a fifth guide wheel assembly and the fourth bottom end of the carrier beam is mounted with a sixth guide wheel assembly. At least one of the third guide wheel assembly, the fourth guide wheel assembly, the fifth guide wheel assembly or the sixth guide wheel assembly are run on the bottom flange of the rail.
[0012] In some embodiments, the crane mast includes work handling device rails that enable the work handling device to move up and down for handling objects at desired locations.
[0013] In some embodiments, the work handling device includes a cradle assembly and an object handling platform. The cradle assembly is mounted on the crane mast assembly. The cradle assembly includes a base frame and one or more work handling device guide wheels. The base frame accommodates the work handling device. The one or more work handling device guide wheels is mounted on one or more support plate. The one or more work handling device guide wheels run on a guide rail of the front surface of the crane mast assembly. The object handling platform handles at least one object to perform storage and retrieval. The object handling platform includes a conveyor assembly, one or more arms and a drive assembly. The conveyor assembly conveys the objects between the work handling device and the storage rack. The one or more arms pick and guides the objects when conveying between the work handling device and the storage rack. The drive assembly drives with at least one of the conveyor assembly and the one or more arms to perform storage and retrieval.
[0014] In another aspect, a method of automatic warehouse management using an automatic storage and retrieval machine includes (a) providing one or more options to a user to select a rack position for an object storage or retrieval operation, (b) determining a rack position signal and communicating to the driving unit, (c) decoding the rack position signal to drive a first driving assembly and enable a linear movement of the automatic storage and retrieval machine on the rail to reach a rack position, (d) decoding the rack position signal to drive a second driving assembly and enable a linear movement of the work handling device on the crane mast assembly to a rack level position, (e) enabling the work handling device to pick or drop objects at the rack level position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary view of an automatic storage and retrieval machine for handling minimum object loads according to some embodiments herein;
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary view of a bottom carriage assembly of an automatic storage and retrieval machine according to some embodiments herein;
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary view of a cradle assembly of an automatic storage and retrieval machine according to some embodiments herein;
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary view of a driving assembly of an automatic storage and retrieval machine according to some embodiments herein;
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary view of a rail guide wheel assembly of an automatic storage and retrieval machine according to some embodiments herein;
[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary view of a ladder safety lock assembly of an automatic storage and retrieval machine according to some embodiments herein;
[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary view of a crane mast assembly of an automatic storage and retrieval machine according to some embodiments herein;
[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary view of a support frame assembly of an automatic storage and retrieval machine according to some embodiments herein;
[0024] FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary view of a control unit of an automatic storage and retrieval machine according to some embodiments herein; and
[0025] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a method of object storing and retrieval using an automatic storage and retrieval machine of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0027] An objective of the current invention is to provide a new kind of mini-load automated storage and retrieval system that is superior to existing systems and that removes or at least lessens the limitations mentioned above. These goals are accomplished using the method described in the appended description. As mentioned, there remains a need for an improved storage and retrieval machine to utilize available space at maximum and perform the storage or retrieval operation precisely and automatically. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIG. 1 through 10, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, preferred embodiments are shown.
[0028] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary view of an automatic storage and retrieval machine 100 for handling minimum object loads according to some embodiments herein. The automatic storage and retrieval machine 100 includes a rail 102, a driving assembly 104, a bottom carriage assembly 106, a crane mast assembly 108, a work handling device 110, a ladder assembly 112, a control unit 114 and a rail guide assembly 116. The rail 102 includes at least one flange and a web that provides a platform for the storage and retrieval machine for linear movement. In some embodiments, the rail 102 is a U beam and made with a rolled section of sheet metal. The driving assembly 104 is mounted on the bottom carriage assembly 106. The bottom carriage assembly 106 is mounted with at least one of the rail 104, the driving assembly 104, the control unit 114 or the rail guide assembly 116. The bottom carriage assembly 106 accommodates at least one guide wheel of the rail guide assembly 116.
[0029] In some embodiments, the bottom carriage assembly 106 is mounted on the web surface of the rail 102. In some embodiments, the at least two guide wheels of the guide wheel assembly 116 are run on the web surface of the rail 102. In some embodiments, the at least two guide wheels of the guide wheel assembly are run on a top flange surface of the rail 102. In some embodiments, the at least wheels of the guide wheel assembly 116 are run on a bottom surface of the rail 102. The driving assembly 104 includes a housing that accommodates at least one a lift drive shaft, a tension adjusting shaft, a traverse drive shaft or a traverse idler shaft. In some embodiments, the automatic storage and retrieval machine 100 includes a first driving assembly for a liner movement of the automatic storage and retrieval machine 100 on the rail 102 and a second driving assembly for a liner movement of the work handling device 110 on the crane mast 108.
[0030] The crane mast assembly 108 is mounted on the driving assembly 106. The crane mast assembly 108 provides a platform for the work handling device 110 for vertical linear movement. The crane mast assembly 108 accommodates at least one of a plurality of drive pulleys, a top guide assembly, a cradle assembly or a ladder assembly 112. In some embodiments, the cradle assembly mounts the work handling unit 110 and a cradle guide wheel assembly. The work handling device 110 collects or delivers at least one object. The work handling device 110 is driven by the second driver assembly to perform the store and retrieval operation. The work handling device 110 is configured to collect/ deliver the at least one object at a delivery point.
[0031] The work handling device 110 includes a platform to hold at least one object for storage or retrieval. The work handling device 110 includes conveyor assembly 118, at least two arms 120A-N, a conveyor driving assembly 122, a belt mounting bracket, an electric panel box (not shown in the figure), front guide rollers (not shown in the figure) and side guide rollers (not shown in the figure). The arms pick and drop the objects on at least one rack or a delivery conveyor. In some embodiments, the work handling device 110 is a shuttle that picks and drops the objects on at least one of the racks or the delivery conveyor.
[0032] In some embodiments, the control unit 114 includes at least one of a processor, sensors, relays, power management devices or wired and/ or wireless input-output peripherals. The control unit 114 is communicatively connected with a server to perform at least one of storage or retrieval operation. In some embodiments, the server is installed in an industrial personal computer (IPC). In some embodiments, the server is a remote server that is communicatively connected with the automatic storage and retrieval machine 100. In some embodiments, the server is integrated with a warehouse management system (WMS). The warehouse management system (WMS) provides at least one location of the objects that are located on storage racks. The storage rack and the rail 102 are provided with location codes to identify the object location. In some embodiments, the location codes include at least one of a bar code, RFID tag or QR code. In some embodiments, the control unit 114 scans the location codes using scanning devices to decode the location details of the objects.
[0033] The control unit 114 receives at least one operating signal from the warehouse management system. In some embodiments, the at least one operating signal includes an object storage signal, an object retrieval signal, an object sorting signal or an object shuffle signal. The control unit 114 determines at least one control signal for the driving unit based on the at least one operating signal that is communicated from the warehouse management system. In some embodiments, the warehouse management system enables at least one user to determine the at least one operation signal using one or more user interfaces of the warehouse management system. In some embodiments, the at least one control signal includes at least one of a first driving assembly signal, a second driving assembly signal, a hold and a retrieval signal or an emergency stop signal.
[0034] The first driving assembly drives the automatic storage and retrieval machine 100 on the rail 102 linearly towards a destination location when the control unit 114 receives the first driving assembly signal. The second driving assembly drives the work handling device 110 linearly on the crane mast assembly 108 towards a destination level on the storage rack when the control unit 114 receives the second driving assembly signal. In some embodiments, the control unit 114 holds linear movement of at least one of the automatic storage and retrieval machine 100 or the work handling device 110 when receiving the hold signal. The operation resumed when the control unit 114 received the retrieval signal from the warehouse management system. In some embodiments, the control unit 114 stops the operation of the automatic storage and retrieval machine 100 at any instance when the control unit 114 receives the emergency stop signal.
[0035] With reference to the FIG. 1, FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary view of the bottom carriage assembly 106 of the automatic storage and retrieval machine 100 according to some embodiments herein. The bottom carriage assembly 106 includes a pair of carriage channel beams 202A and 202B. The carriage channel beams 202A and 202B include one or more threaded holes 204A-N to mount the rail guide assembly 116 and the driving assembly 104. The carrier channel beam 202A includes a first top end 206, a first bottom end 208, a second top end 210 and a second bottom end 212. The carrier channel beam 202B includes a third top end 214, a third bottom end 216, a fourth top end 218 and a fourth bottom end 220. The first top end 206 and the third top end 214 are mounted with a first guide wheel assembly 222.
[0036] The second top end 210 and the fourth top end 218 are mounted with a second guide wheel assembly 224. In some embodiments, the first guide wheel assembly 222 and the second guide wheel assembly 224 are mounted on a profile that couples the first top end 206 and the third top end 214. In some embodiments, both ends of the carrier beam 202A are mounted with a guide wheel (not shown in the figure) that enables a secure movement of the carrier beam 202A. In some embodiments, both end of the carrier beam 202B is mounted with a guide wheel (not shown in the figure) that enables a secure movement of the carrier beam 202B. In some embodiments, the guide wheels are run on a web of the rail 102.
[0037] In some embodiments, the first guide wheel assembly 222 and the second guide wheel assembly 224 are run on a top flange of the rail 102. In some embodiments, the first bottom end 208 of the carrier beam 202A is mounted with a third guide wheel assembly (not shown in the figure). The second bottom 212 of the carrier channel beam 202A is mounted with a fourth guide wheel assembly (not shown in the figure). In some embodiments, the third bottom end 216 of the carrier beam 202B is mounted with a fifth guide wheel assembly (not shown in the figure). The fourth bottom end 220 of the carrier beam 202B is mounted with a sixth guide wheel assembly (not shown in the figure). In some embodiments, at least one of the third guide wheel assembly, the fourth guide wheel assembly, the fifth guide wheel assembly or the sixth guide wheel assembly are run on a bottom flange of the rail 102.
[0038] With reference to the FIG. 1, FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary view of a cradle assembly 300 of the automatic storage and retrieval machine 100 according to some embodiments herein. The cradle assembly 300 includes a base frame 302, a pair of arms 304A and 304B, one or more work handling device guide wheels 306A-N, a pair of work handling device lock 308A and 308B, one or more support plate 310A-N and one or more clamps 312A-N. The base frame 302 includes one or more cradle plates. In some embodiments, the one or more cradle plates include a L-shaped plate that is mounted with a machined cradle plate. The L-shaped plate of the base frame 302 accommodates a pair of arms 304A and 304B. The pair of work handling device lock 308A and 308B are mount on a first top end of the pair of arms 304A and 304B. In some embodiments, the base frame 302 includes a pair of triangle-shaped openings.
[0039] In some embodiments, a bottom triangle opening of the base frame 302 accommodates the at least one work handling device guide wheel 306. In some embodiments, the L-shaped plate of the base frame 302 accommodates the at least four work handling device guide wheels inside the surface. In some embodiments, the one or more work handling device guide wheel 306A-N are mounted on the L-shaped plate of the base frame 302 using at least one of one or more support plates, bolts, wheel shafts, bearings or roller brackets. In some embodiments, the L-shaped plate of the base frame 302 includes the one or more clamps 312A-N to mount at least one sensor. The pair of arms 304A and 304B are mounted on the base frame 302 using at least one of the support plates, or the bolts and screws.
[0040] The one or more support plates 310A-N are mounted on the pair of arms 304A and 304B and couples a pair of L-shaped plate of the base frame 302. In some embodiments, the one or more supporting plates 310A-N are at least one of C plates or C tubes that are mounted using the one or more clamps 312A-N. The work handling device 110 is mounted on the pair of arms 304A and 304B and locked by the pair of work handling device lock 308A and 308B. In some embodiments, the at least one L-shaped plate of the base frame 302 is mounted with a panel box that includes at least one of electrical and control devices.
[0041] With reference to the FIG. 1, FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary view of the driving assembly 104 of the automatic storage and retrieval machine 100 according to some embodiments herein. The driving assembly 104 includes at least one motor assembly (not shown in the figure), a lift drive shaft 402, a tension adjusting shaft 404, a traverse drive shaft 406, a traverse idler shaft 408 and one or more bearing blocks 410A-N. In some embodiments, the driving assembly 104 includes a housing 412 that includes a first driver assembly (not shown in the figure) for a liner movement of the driving assembly 104 on the rail 102 and a second driver assembly (not shown in the figure) for a liner movement of the work handling device 110.
[0042] The at least one motor assembly and the lift drive shaft 402 are coupled to produce the linear movement of the driving assembly 104 on the rail 102 using at least one driving mechanism. In some embodiments, the driving mechanism includes but is not limited to an omega driving mechanism. The tension adjusting shaft 404 enables the user to adjust the tension on driving assemblies. The traverse drive shaft 406 is a linear drive shaft that enables linear movement. The traverse idler shaft 408 enables tension on a belt or chain of the driving assemblies. The bearing blocks 410A-N are load carriers that carry the load during operation. In some embodiments, the driver assembly 104 includes a belt driving mechanism for precision liner movement. In some embodiments, the driver assembly 104 includes an omega driving mechanism.
[0043] With reference to the FIG. 1, FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary view of a rail guide wheel assembly 116 of the automatic storage and retrieval machine 100 according to some embodiments herein. The rail guide wheel assembly 116 includes a first plate 502, one or more second plate 504A-N and one or more guide wheels 506A-N. The first plate 502 includes one or more slots to mount the one or more second plate 504A-N. The one or more second plate 504A-N includes a slot 508. The guide wheel 506 is mounted on the second plate 504 using the slot 508. In some embodiments, the guide wheel 506 is mounted on the slot using at least one of the screws, bolts, washers or nuts. The one or more guide wheels 506A-N include a bearing that carries load when the guide wheel assembly runs on the rail 102.
[0044] With reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary view of a ladder safety lock assembly 600 of the automatic storage and retrieval machine 100 according to some embodiments herein. The ladder safety assembly 600 includes a plate 602, a gusset plate 604, a square tube 606, J bolt 608 and safety rope 610. The plate 602 is mounted on the crane mast 108. The plate 602 is molded with the gusset plate 604 and the square tube 606. The square tube 606 includes one or more slots to mount the J bolt 608. The safety rope 610 is tied with the J bolt 608 and the ladder assembly 112 using at least one bulldog clamp.
[0045] With reference to the FIG. 1, FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary view of the crane mast assembly 108 of the automatic storage and retrieval machine 100 according to some embodiments herein. The crane mast assembly 108 includes a front portion 702, a back portion 704, a top portion 706 and a bottom portion 708. The bottom portion 708 is mounted with the driving unit 104. The top portion 706 includes a crane mast guide wheel assembly (not shown in the figure) that is configured to run on a top rail (not shown in the figure) for precision linear movement. The back portion 704 of the crane mast assembly 108 is mounted with the ladder assembly 112. The front portion 702 of the crane mast assembly 108 includes one or more guide rails 710A-N. The rails 710A and 710B are configured to provide a platform for the work handling device 110.
[0046] In some embodiments, the second driver assembly is mounted on the crane mast assembly 108 for driving the work handling device 110 on the guide rails 710A-N of the crane mast assembly 108. In some embodiments, the crane mast assembly 108 is made with aluminium sheet metal for high strength. In some embodiments, the crane mast assembly 108 includes one or more openings 712A-N. In some embodiments, the one or more openings 712A-N are in but not limited to circle, triangle, square, rectangle, pentagon, quadrilateral, hexagon, octagon, etc. In some embodiments, the ladder assembly 112 is mounted to the crane mast assembly 108 using at least one of (a) one or more threaded slots and screws or (b) welding.
[0047] With reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary view of a support frame assembly 800 of the automatic storage and retrieval machine 100 according to some embodiments herein. The support frame assembly 800 includes a top plate 802, a bottom plate 804, side plates 806A and 806B, a ladder mount support plate 808, a support frame assembly mount plate (not shown in the diagram) and a support frame assembly mount clamp (not shown in the diagram). In some embodiments, the top plate 802 includes a tapered surface. The support frame assembly 800 is mounted on the driving assembly 104 to provide balance for the crane mast assembly 108.
[0048] With reference to the FIG. 1, FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary view of the control unit 114 of the automatic storage and retrieval machine 100 according to some embodiments herein. The control unit 114 includes a housing 900 that accommodates at least one battery 902, one or more control switches 904A-N and a control panel 906. The battery 902 stores regenerated power from the linear movement of the driving assembly 104 and the work handling device 110. The control panel 906 includes a control device 908, an input device 910 and an output device 912. In some embodiments, the control device 908 includes at least one of memory, a processor or a controller. In some embodiments, the memory stores one or more instructions and that are executed by the processor or controller to perform the object storage or retrieval operation.
[0049] In some embodiments, the input device 910 includes at least one of keypad, keyboard, touch device, audio device or motion control device. The input device 910 enables the user to select a rack position to perform the object storage or retrieval operation. In some embodiments, the output device 912 includes at least one audio device or display to monitor and control the object storage or retrieval operation. In some embodiments, the output device 912 includes one or more graphical user interfaces to enable the user to provide and receive information corresponding to the object storage or retrieval operation.
[0050] FIG. 10 is a flow diagram of a method of object storing and retrieval using the automatic storage and retrieval machine 100 of FIG. 1 according to some embodiments herein. At step 1002, one or more options are provided to the user to select a rack position for the object storage or retrieval operation. In some embodiments, the user inputs are obtained by one or more user interfaces of the warehouse management system. At step 1004, the rack position signal is determined and communicated to the driving unit 104. At step 1006, the control unit 114 decodes the rack position signal to drive the first driving assembly and enable a linear movement of the automatic storage and retrieval machine 100 on the rail 102 to reach the rack position. At step 1008, the control unit 114 decodes the rack position signal to drive the second driving assembly and enables a linear movement of the work handling device 110 on the crane mast assembly 108 to reach the rack level position based on the rack position signal. At step 1010, the object is picked or dropped at the rack position using the work handling device 110. In some embodiments, the work handling device 110 picks or drops the object at a delivery port based on the rack position signal.
[0051] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
,CLAIMS:We Claim:
1. An automatic storage and retrieval machine (100) for handling minimum object loads comprising,
a bottom carriage assembly (106) that is adapted to mount at least one machining plate to direct the automatic storage and retrieval machine (100) on a rail (102), wherein the bottom carriage unit (106) mounts at least one rail guide wheels (506A-N);
a driving assembly (104) that is mounted on the bottom carriage assembly (106) using the at least one machining plate,
a work handling device (110) is mounted on the bottom carriage assembly (106) that handles at least one object to perform storage and retrieval;
a crane mast assembly (108) that is mounted on the bottom carriage assembly (106) and the housing (412),
wherein when in operation, the driving assembly (106) drives (a) the automatic storage and retrieval machine (100) on the rail (102) to reach a destination rack position and (b) the work handling unit (110) to a destination rack level position, wherein the work handling device (110) performs at least one storage or retrieval operation at the destination rack level when the automatic storage and retrieval machine (100) reached the destination rack position and the work handling device (110) reached destination rack level position.

2. The automatic storage and retrieval machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the driving assembly (106) comprises
at least two machining plates that are mounted to form a housing (412) to accommodate at least one of a first driving shaft that is mounted on the housing (412) to drive the automatic storage and retrieval machine (100) on the rail (102);
a second driving shaft that is mounted on the housing (412) to drive the work handling unit (110) on the crane mast assembly (108); and
a traverse idler shaft (408) that is mounted with the housing (412) to provide a required tension of at least one of the first driving shaft or the second driving shaft.

3. The automatic storage and retrieval machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the crane mast assembly (108) comprises
a ladder surface (704) to accommodate a ladder;
a top guiding surface (706) that accommodates at least one top guide wheel, wherein the at least one top guide wheel runs on a top rail;
a bottom surface (708) that is mounted on the driving assembly (104) and the housing (412);
a front surface (702) that is mounted with the work handling device (110), wherein the front surface (702) comprises a plurality of guide rails (710A-N) for the work handling device (110); and
a pair of side surfaces that comprise at least one structured opening (712A-N).

4. The automatic storage and retrieval machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bottom carriage assembly (106) comprises a pair of carriage channel beams (202A and 202B) that include a plurality of threaded holes (204A-N) to mount at least one of the driving assembly (104) or the work handling device (110), wherein the pair of carriage beams (202A and 202B) includes a first top end (206), a second top end (210), a third top end (214), a fourth top end (218), a first bottom end (208), a second bottom end (212), a third bottom end (216) and a fourth bottom end (220), wherein the first top end (206) and the third top end (214) are mounted with a first guide wheel assembly (222), wherein the second top end (210) and the fourth top end (218) are mounted with a second guide wheel assembly (224).

5. The automatic storage and retrieval machine (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first guide wheel assembly (222) and the second guide wheel assembly (224) are mounted on a profile that couples the first top end (206) and the third top end (214), wherein both end of the carriage channel beams (202A and 202B) are mounted with guide wheels that are run on a web and a bottom flange of the rail (102), wherein the first guide wheel assembly (222) and the second guide wheel assembly (224) are run on the web of the rail (102).

6. The automatic storage and retrieval machine (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein the first bottom end (208) of the carrier beam (202A) is mounted with a third guide wheel assembly and the second bottom (212) of the carrier beam (202A) is mounted with a fourth guide wheel assembly, wherein the third bottom end (216) of the carrier beam (202B) is mounted with a fifth guide wheel assembly and the fourth bottom end (220) of the carrier beam (202B) is mounted with a sixth guide wheel assembly, wherein at least one of the third guide wheel assembly, the fourth guide wheel assembly, the fifth guide wheel assembly or the sixth guide wheel assembly is run on the bottom flange of the rail (102).

7. The automatic storage and retrieval machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the crane mast (108) comprises work handling device rails (504A and 504B) that enables the work handling device (110) to move up and down for handling objects at desired locations.

8. The automatic storage and retrieval machine (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the work handling device (110) comprises
a cradle assembly (300) that is mounted on the crane mast assembly (108), wherein the cradle assembly (300) comprises
a base frame (302) that accommodates the work handling device (110); and
a plurality of work handling device guide wheels (306A-N) that is mounted on a plurality of support plate (310A-N), wherein the plurality of work handling device guide wheels (306A-N) run on a guide rail of a front surface of the crane mast assembly (108); and
an object handling platform that handles at least one object to perform storage and retrieval, wherein the object handling platform comprises
a conveyor assembly (118) that conveys the objects between the work handling device (110) and the storage rack;
a plurality of arms (120A-N) that picks and guides the objects when conveying between the work handling device (110) and the storage rack; and
a drive assembly (122) that drives with at least one of the conveyor assembly (118) and the plurality of arms (120A-N) to perform storage and retrieval.

9. A method of automatic warehouse management using an automatic storage and retrieval machine (100) comprising,
providing a plurality of options to a user to select a rack position for an object storage or retrieval operation;
determining a rack position signal and communicating to the driving unit (104);
decoding the rack position signal to drive a first driving assembly and enable a linear movement of the automatic storage and retrieval machine (100) on the rail (102) to reach a rack position;
decoding the rack signal to drive a second driving assembly and enable a linear movement of the work handling device (110) on the crane mast assembly (108) to a rack level position;
enabling the work handling device (110) to pick or drop objects at the rack level position.