Spin-on filter using snap-fit

A spin-on filter comprising:

• a housing having a closed end and a circumferential interior wall axially extending from the closed end to an open end and circumscribing an internal chamber configured to receive a filter element;
• and
• a cover plate including an outer circumferential wall surrounding a central opening, the cover plate having a series of engagement tabs configured to axially extend into the internal chamber of the housing and mate with corresponding ones of a series of receiving slots formed within the interior wall of the housing when the cover plate and the housing are axially pressed together to secure the cover plate to the open end of the housing,
• wherein each engagement tab comprises:
• an axial portion axially extending from a proximal end integrally formed with the outer circumferential wall or an inner surface of the cover plate to a distal end, the inner surface of the cover plate radially extending between the central opening and an inner peripheral edge of the outer circumferential wall;
• and
• an interference portion extending radially outward from the distal end of the axial portion,
• wherein the interior wall of the housing comprises:
• a wide section proximate to the open end of the housing and enclosing at least a portion of the outer circumferential wall of the cover plate when the cover plate is secured to the open end of the housing;
• and
• a narrow section axially extending between the wide section and the closed end of the housing, the narrow section comprising a smaller diameter than the wide section and axially spaced apart from the open end of the housing by an axial distance of the wide section, and
• wherein the series of receiving slots are formed within the narrow section of the interior wall, each receiving slot configured to receive the interference portion of the corresponding engagement tab to prevent the cover plate and the housing from moving relative to one another when the cover plate and the housing are axially pressed together.

A method of manufacturing a spin-on filter, the method comprising:

• inserting a filter element into an internal chamber of a housing, the housing including a closed end and a circumferential interior wall axially extending from the closed end to an open end and circumscribing the internal chamber;
• positioning a cover plate in alignment with the open end of the housing, the cover plate having a series engagement tabs configured to extend into the internal chamber of the housing when the cover plate is aligned with the open end of the housing;
• and
• axially pressing the cover plate and the housing together to cause each engagement tab to mate with a corresponding one of a series of receiving slots formed within the interior wall of the housing, the mating between the engagement tabs and the receiving slots securing the cover plate to the open end of the housing,
• wherein a radial seal is disposed between an outer circumferential edge of the cover plate and the interior wall of the housing to provide a fluid tight seal between the outer circumferential edge of the cover plate and the interior wall of the housing when the cover plate secures to the open end of the housing.

A spin-on filter comprising:

• a housing having a closed end and a circumferential interior wall axially extending from the closed end to an open end and circumscribing an internal chamber configured to receive a filter element;
• a cover plate defining a central opening, the cover plate including a substantially planar outer surface extending radially outward from the central opening to an outer circumferential wall;
• and
• a series of engagement tabs integrally formed with the outer circumferential wall of the cover plate, each engagement tab configured to mate with a corresponding one of a series of receiving slots formed within the interior wall of the housing when the cover plate and the housing are axially pressed together to secure the cover plate to the open end of the housing,
• wherein the interior wall of the housing comprises:
• a wide section proximate to the open end of the housing and enclosing at least a portion of the outer circumferential wall of the cover plate when the cover plate is secured to the open end of the housing;
• and
• a narrow section axially extending between the wide section and the closed end of the housing, the narrow section comprising a smaller diameter than the wide section and axially spaced apart from the open end of the housing by an axial distance of the wide section, and
• wherein the series of receiving slots are formed in the narrow section of the interior wall, each receiving slot associated with a corresponding axial groove formed in the narrow section of the interior wall and axially extending from the wide section to the corresponding receiving slot, each axial groove disposed radially inward from the wide section of the interior wall.

A spin-on filter comprising:

• a housing having a closed end and a circumferential interior wall axially extending from the closed end to an open end and circumscribing an internal chamber configured to receive a filter element;
• and
• a cover plate including an outer circumferential wall surrounding a central opening, the cover plate having a series of engagement tabs configured to axially extend into the internal chamber of the housing and mate with corresponding ones of a series of receiving slots formed within the interior wall of the housing when the cover plate and the housing are axially pressed together to secure the cover plate to the open end of the housing,
• wherein the cover plate further comprises:
• a substantially planar outer surface radially extending between the central opening and an outer peripheral edge of the outer circumferential wall;
• a substantially planar inner surface disposed on an opposite side of the cover plate than the outer surface and opposing the internal chamber when the cover plate is secured to the housing, the inner surface radially extending between the central opening and an inner peripheral edge of the outer peripheral wall;
• and
• one or more inlet ports formed through the inner and outer surfaces of the cover plate.