Scroll compressor with oldham ring having a plurality of keys coupled to an orbiting scroll and a fixed scroll

Abstract

A scroll compressor is provided. The scroll compressor may include a fixed scroll having a fixed wrap and a plurality of first key recesses, an orbiting scroll engaged with the fixed scroll to define a compression chambers and having an orbiting wrap and a plurality of second key recesses, the orbiting scroll performing an orbiting motion with respect to the fixed scroll, a drive having a rotation shaft coupled to the orbiting scroll such that one end portion thereof overlaps the orbiting wrap in a lateral direction, and an Oldham ring having a plurality of first and second keys coupled to the plurality of first key recesses and the plurality of second key recesses, respectively. The plurality of second keys may at least temporarily protrude from the plurality of second key recesses in a radial direction during the orbiting motion. Further, the plurality of second key recesses and the plurality of second keys may be disposed to obtain maximum contact areas therebetween at a moment of start of discharging.