Accelerator Pedal Unit for Motor Vehicles

An accelerator pedal unit for a motor vehicle, comprising:

• an accelerator pedal configured and arranged to control a propelling force of a motor of the motor vehicle,
• a return spring, wherein a position change of the accelerator pedal relative to a starting position thereof 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 in a direction toward the starting position thereof when the actuating force subsides,
• a friction device configured and arranged to generate a friction force that acts in addition to the restoring force, and
• a bistable auxiliary actuator,
• wherein the friction device comprises an engaging body and a receiving body that has a recess configured and arranged to receive the engaging body,
• wherein the engaging body and/or the receiving body comprise a friction surface that can generate the friction force as soon as the engaging body engages into the recess of the receiving body, and
• wherein the bistable auxiliary actuator can move and hold the receiving body or the engaging body between two positions in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the receiving body or the engaging body.