Timepiece drive device

The patent introduces a cam follower as an intermediary element that continuously interacts with the cam profile during both arming and compensation phases. This cam follower mediates the energy transfer from the mainspring through the cam mechanism, enabling continuous energy accumulation in the secondary spring while maintaining constant power consumption. The intermediary cam follower converts the rotational motion of the cam into linear motion that winds the secondary spring, thereby resolving the contradiction by providing a mechanism for continuous energy management without requiring complex additional components.

The patent applies local quality by providing the main wheel with a partially toothed periphery rather than a fully toothed design. Specifically, only a portion of the main wheel's circumference is equipped with teeth, while the remaining portion is smooth or has different surface characteristics. This localized differentiation allows the wheel to engage with the cam follower's toothing only during specific phases (arming phase), while during the compensation phase, the smooth portion allows free rotation with minimal friction. This resolves the contradiction by optimizing energy consumption through selective engagement without requiring extremely high manufacturing precision across the entire wheel perimeter, as only the toothed portion needs precise tooth geometry.