Receptacle terminal with stable contact geometry

1. A receptacle terminal for receipt of a mating terminal therein, the receptacle terminal having a contact portion comprising:

a bottom wall and resilient arms which extend from either side of the bottom wall, the bottom wall having a raised portion with a first embossment positioned proximate a lead-in surface at a mating end of the contact portion, the bottom wall having a second embossment spaced from the first embossment, the first embossment being a thin generally rectangular rib member which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the contact portion, creating an indent on an outer surface of the bottom wall and a raised bump on an inner surface of the bottom wall, the first and second embossments providing additional strength and stability to the contact portion to prevent unwanted bending of the terminal and to achieve the desired normal force for the insertion of a mating terminal;

wherein a spring arm extends from the bottom wall; and

wherein a third embossment is stamped, coined or formed from the spring arm of the bottom wall, the third embossment extends from the spring arm to create a raised area on the inner surface of the spring arm.

2. The receptacle terminal as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first embossment is stamped or coined from of the raised portion of the bottom wall.

3. The receptacle terminal as recited in claim 2 , wherein the second embossment is stamped or coined from the raised portion of the bottom wall, the second embossment extends from the bottom wall to create raised bump on the inner surface of the bottom wall which engages a mating terminal as the mating terminal is inserted into the receptacle terminal.

4. The receptacle terminal as recited in claim 3 , wherein the first embossment and the second embossment are transversely offset relative to the path of insertion of the mating terminal, wherein plating wear on the mating terminal at any particular area is minimized.

5. The receptacle terminal as recited in claim 1 , wherein three resilient arms extend from either side of the bottom wall, first resilient arms are positioned proximate the mating end of the contact portion, the first resilient arms have lead-in surfaces provided to help guide the mating terminal into a mating slot of the contact portion.

6. The receptacle terminal as recited in claim 5 , wherein the resilient arms have arcuate portions which extend from the bottom wall to mating terminal engaging members.

7. The receptacle terminal as recited in claim 6 , wherein the mating terminal engaging members extend from the arcuate portions toward the bottom wall in a direction which is essentially perpendicular to the plane of the bottom wall, mating terminal engagement surfaces are positioned at a top of a mating slot, the arcuate portions provide the resiliency to allow the mating terminal engaging member to move relative to the bottom wall as the mating terminal is inserted into the mating slot.

8. The receptacle terminal as recited in claim 7 , wherein the first embossment, the second embossment and the mating terminal engagement surfaces are all provided in electrical and mechanical contact with the mating terminal, allowing the receptacle contact to be used in applications in which higher current levels of 15 to 20 or more amps.

9. A receptacle terminal for receipt of a mating terminal therein, the receptacle terminal having a contact portion comprising:

a bottom wall and resilient arms which extend from either side of the bottom wall, the bottom wall having a raised portion with a first embossment positioned proximate a lead-in surface at a mating end of the contact portion, the bottom wall having a second embossment spaced from the first embossment, the first embossment being a thin generally rectangular rib member which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the contact portion, creating an indent on an outer surface of the bottom wall and a raised bump on an inner surface of the bottom wall, the first and second embossments providing additional strength and stability to the contact portion to prevent unwanted bending of the terminal:

a spring arm extends from the bottom wall, the spring arm has a third embossment which extends from the spring arm to create a raised area on the inner surface of the spring arm.

10. The receptacle terminal as recited in claim 9 , wherein the second embossment is a thin generally rectangular member which extends transversely to the longitudinal axis of the contact portion, creating an indent on an outer surface of the bottom wall and a raised bump on an inner surface of the bottom wall.

11. The receptacle terminal as recited in claim 9 , wherein resilient arms extend from either side of the bottom wall, first resilient arms are positioned proximate the mating end of the contact portion, the first resilient arm has a lead-in surface provided to help guide the mating terminal into a mating slot of the contact portion.

12. The receptacle terminal as recited in claim 11 , wherein the resilient arms have arcuate portions which extend from the bottom wall to mating terminal engaging members.

13. The receptacle terminal as recited in claim 12 , wherein the mating terminal engaging members extend from the arcuate portions toward the bottom wall in a direction which is essentially perpendicular to the plane of the bottom wall, the mating terminal engagement surfaces are positioned at a top of a mating slot, the arcuate portions provide the resiliency to allow the mating terminal engaging member to move relative to the bottom wall as the mating terminal is inserted into the mating slot.

14. The receptacle terminal as recited in claim 13 , wherein the first embossment, the second embossment, the third embossment and the mating terminal engagement surfaces are all provided in electrical and mechanical contact with the mating terminal, allowing the receptacle contact to be used in applications in which higher current levels of 15 to 20 or more amps.

15. The receptacle terminal as recited in claim 14 , wherein the first embossment, the second embossment and the third embossment are transversely offset relative to the path of insertion of the mating terminal, wherein plating wear on the mating terminal at any particular area is minimized.