Abstract: An accelerator pedal unit (1) for a motor vehicle includes an accelerator pedal (11) for controlling a propelling force of a motor of the motor vehicle, and a return spring. A position change of the accelerator pedal (11) from its starting position caused by an actuating force against a restoring force exerted by the return spring results in an increase of the propelling force of the motor, and the restoring force of the return spring returns the accelerator pedal (11) toward its starting position when the actuating force subsides. A friction device (100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600) generates a friction force that acts in addition to the restoring force. Alternatively, an electromechanical main actuator (18) produces an additional restoring force (FZusatz) that can be variably controlled using a control unit (12).

Abstract: A drive pedal unit for motor vehicles, wherein a position change of the pedal plate brought about by a corresponding actuating force, with respect to the starting position thereof against a restoring force of a restoring spring, leads to an increase of the drive force of the engine and, when the actuating force decreases, the restoring force of the restoring spring returns the pedal plate in the direction of the starting position thereof. An externally controllable electro-mechanical actuator is arranged such that an additional restoring force may be set on the pedal plate. A hysteresis of the pedal characteristic curve is produced and is independent of the additional restoring force of the electromechanical actuator. A friction surface cooperates with a friction element, wherein the friction surface is connected to the pedal plate, whilst the friction element is decoupled from the power flow between the pedal plate and the electromechanical actuator.