Fluid filter retention mechanism

A filter element, comprising:

• an annular filter medium;
• an endcap including an annular plate member disposed adjacent an axial end surface of the annular filter medium;
• a radially outer annular flange projecting axially from a surface of the annular plate member;
• the radially outer annular flange including at least one winglet feature extending radially outwardly in a cantilever fashion from an outer circumferential surface of the radially outer annular flange in a direction such that the at least one winglet feature forms an acute angle with the outer circumferential surface on a clockwise side of the at least one winglet feature when viewed along a perspective line extending from a side of the annular plate member opposite from the annular filter medium toward the at least one winglet feature, with the at least one winglet feature being configured to deflect toward the outer circumferential surface of the radially outer annular flange through contact with a wedge-shaped protrusion projecting radially inwardly from an inner circumference of a filter base of a filter system as the filter element is simultaneously moved axially and rotatably when being threadedly engaged into the filter base, and spring back to its undeflected configuration after passing the wedge-shaped protrusion.

A filter system, comprising:

• a filter base configured for connection of the filter system to a vehicle or other machine, the filter base including:
• an inlet port for introduction of unfiltered fluid,
• an outlet port for discharge of filtered fluid,
• a wedge-shaped protrusion projecting radially inwardly from an inner circumferential surface of the filter base, and
• a backstop protrusion circumferentially spaced from the wedge-shaped protrusion and projecting radially inwardly from the inner circumferential surface of the filter base;
• and
• a filter cartridge containing an annular filter medium being connected to the filter base,
• a top endcap of the filter cartridge is disposed at one axial end of the annular filter medium,
• the top endcap includes a radially outer annular flange projecting axially from the top endcap,
• the radially outer annular flange includes at least one winglet feature extending radially outwardly in a cantilever fashion from an outer circumferential surface of the radially outer annular flange in a direction such that the at least one winglet feature forms an acute angle with the outer circumferential surface on a clockwise side of the at least one winglet feature when viewed along a perspective line extending from a side of the top endcap opposite from the annular filter medium toward the at least one winglet feature,
• the at least one winglet feature is configured to deflect toward the outer circumferential surface of the radially outer annular flange through contact with the wedge-shaped protrusion as the filter cartridge is simultaneously moved axially and rotatably when being threadedly engaged into the filter base, and
• the at least one winglet feature is configured to spring back to its undeflected configuration after passing the wedge-shaped protrusion and before contacting the backstop protrusion.