Recahrgeable battery with insulating compression means between the cover and the cells and method of assembling the battery

A method of assembling a rechargeable battery is disclosed. The method includes inserting rechargeable energy storage cells (104) into a battery housing (102), the battery housing having a base portion (110), a side portion (112) extending from the base portion, and an aperture (114) defined by the side portion, wherein the rechargeable energy storage cells are inserted into the battery housing through the aperture; installing an insulator (106) on the rechargeable energy storage cells; and securing a housing cover (108) to the battery housing such that the insulator and the rechargeable energy storage cells are maintained in compression between the housing cover and the housing base portion. Also disclosed is a rechargeable battery (100) including a battery housing (102), a housing cover (108), a plurality of rechargeable energy storage cells (104) disposed within the battery housing, and an insulator (106) disposed between the rechargeable energy storage cells and the housing cover and maintained in compression.