Accelerator pedal assembly

An accelerator pedal assembly comprising:

• an accelerator pedal capable of moving from a rest position to a depressed position as a result of force applied thereto;
• and
• a frictional force generating mechanism operably connected with said pedal for generating a frictional force according to movement of said pedal, said frictional force generating mechanism comprising
• a sliding guide path defining a sliding surface, and
• a frictional force varying mechanism operable to vary frictional force according to movement of said pedal such that the frictional force generated during movement of said pedal increases during movement towards the depressed position and decreases during movement toward the rest position, said frictional force varying mechanism including
• a first moveable friction member for engaging said sliding surface, said first moveable friction member being moveable in response to movement of said pedal and having a first friction generating portion and a first engagement surface,
• a second moveable friction member for engaging said sliding surface, said second moveable friction member having a second friction generating portion and a second engagement surface engaged by said first engagement surface of said first moveable friction member such that when said first moveable friction member and said second moveable friction member are pressed toward each other, said first and second engagement surfaces cause said first and second moveable friction members to move towards engagement of said sliding surface with said first and second friction generating portions, and
• a returning spring biasing said second moveable friction member toward a position corresponding to said rest position of said pedal.

An accelerator pedal assembly for use with an electronically controlled throttle system in a vehicle, comprising:

• a pedal arm capable of moving from a rest position to a depressed position as a result of force applied thereto;
• a pedal shaft supporting said pedal arm;
• a return spring urging said pedal arm toward said rest position;
• a frictional force generating mechanism for generating a frictional force according to movement of said pedal arm, said frictional force generating mechanism comprising
• a sliding guide path defining a sliding surface, and
• a frictional force varying mechanism operable to vary frictional force according to movement of said pedal arm such that the frictional force generated during movement of said pedal arm increases during movement towards the depressed position and decreases during movement toward the rest position;
• and
• a play load mechanism generating a play load on said pedal arm in response to initial depression of said pedal arm such that when said pedal arm is at said rest position, a relatively small force is required to cause said pedal arm to move from said rest position toward said depressed position over an initial range of movement over which range of movement said frictional force varying mechanism is not operable, and after said initial range of movement, said frictional force varying is operable to increase a force required to further move said pedal arm toward said depressed position above said relatively small force.

An accelerator pedal assembly for use with an electronically controlled throttle system in a vehicle, comprising:

• a pedal arm capable of moving from a rest position to a depressed position as a result of force applied thereto;
• a pedal shaft supporting said pedal arm:
• a return spring urging said pedal arm toward said rest position:
• a frictional force generating mechanism for generating a frictional force according to movement of said pedal arm, said frictional force generating mechanism comprising
• a sliding guide path defining a sliding surface, and
• a frictional force varying mechanism operable to vary frictional force according to movement of said pedal arm such that the frictional force generated during movement of said pedal arm increases during movement towards the depressed position and decreases during movement toward the rest position;
• and
• a play load mechanism generating a play load on said pedal arm in response to initial depression of said pedal arm;
• wherein said play load mechanism comprises a play load spring that provides the play load upon initial depression of said pedal arm;
• wherein said frictional force varying mechanism includes
• a first moveable friction member for engaging said sliding surface, said first moveable friction member being moveable in response to movement of said pedal arm and having a first inclined surface,
• a second moveable friction member for engaging said sliding surface, said second moveable friction member having a second inclined surface to be engaged by said first inclined surface of said first moveable friction member, and
• a returning spring biasing said second moveable friction member toward a position corresponding to said rest position of said pedal arm;
• and
• wherein said returning spring comprises said play load spring and an additional spring, said play load spring being positioned to separate said first moveable friction member and said second moveable friction member at said rest position by a separation distance that is taken up by the initial depression of said pedal arm.