An accelerator device includes a pedal lever, a reaction force adjuster and a controller. The pedal lever operates according to a stepping operation. The reaction force adjuster is driven by an actuator, and is capable of adjusting a reaction force that is a force in a direction of pushing back the pedal lever. The controller includes a target operation amount setting unit and a drive control unit. The target operation amount setting unit sets a target operation amount, which is an operation amount of the pedal lever according to a vehicle speed. The drive control unit controls a drive of the actuator. The controller controls the reaction force according to the target operation amount so that the operation amount of the pedal lever is within a target range when switching from an automatic drive to a manual drive.

A device component has a magnetorheological braking apparatus with a stationary holder and at least two brake components. One of the two brake components is connected to the holder for conjoint rotation and extends in the axial direction. The two brake components can be rotated relative to each other. The second brake component has a hollow sleeve part and surrounds the first brake component. A closed chamber is formed between the brake components. The second brake component is rotatably accommodated on the first brake component at a first end of the closed chamber. The closed chamber is substantially filled with a magnetorheological medium. A magnetic-field generator forms a magnetic field to influence the medium in the closed chamber. The second brake component is axially slidable on the first brake component to change a volume of the closed chamber to compensate for temperature-related and/or leakage-related volume changes.

A method for operating an input device. An input element of the input device is manually operated to perform an input into a computer device operatively connected to the input device. Mobility of the input element can be selectively delayed, blocked, and enabled by a controllable magneto-rheological braking device. The mobility of the input element is selectively adjusted by the computer device at least as a function of at least one input condition stored in the computer device. The input device may be a computer mouse.

A method for operating an input device. An input element of the input device is manually operated to perform an input into a computer device operatively connected to the input device. Mobility of the input element can be selectively delayed, blocked, and enabled by a controllable magneto-rheological braking device. The mobility of the input element is selectively adjusted by the computer device at least as a function of at least one input condition stored in the computer device. The input device may be a computer mouse.

A pedal apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The pedal apparatus includes a pedal arm coupled to a pedal housing such that the pedal arm is rotated with respect to a first axis by an actuating force applied to a pedal pad disposed on a distal end of the pedal arm, a pressing member for applying a force to a proximal end of the pedal arm in response to the pedal arm being rotated, a pedal reaction force generating unit disposed between the pedal arm and the pressing member to generate a pedal reaction force corresponding to the actuating force, a first friction member disposed at the pressing member to contact the proximal end of the pedal arm, and a second friction member disposed at the proximal end of the pedal arm to contact an inner surface of the pedal housing.

A pedal apparatus for a vehicle is provided. The pedal apparatus includes a pedal arm coupled to a pedal housing such that the pedal arm is rotated with respect to a first axis by an actuating force applied to a pedal pad disposed on a distal end of the pedal arm, a pressing member for applying a force to a proximal end of the pedal arm in response to the pedal arm being rotated, a pedal reaction force generating unit disposed between the pedal arm and the pressing member to generate a pedal reaction force corresponding to the actuating force, a first friction member disposed at the pressing member to contact the proximal end of the pedal arm, and a second friction member disposed at the proximal end of the pedal arm to contact an inner surface of the pedal housing.

A magnetorheological brake device for adjusting operating states by way of rotational movements includes an axle unit and a rotary body that can be rotated relative to the axle unit. A torque for the rotation of the rotary body can be varied in a targeted manner by a magnetorheological brake. A sensor device functions to detect a rotational position of the rotary body and includes a magnet ring unit and a magnet field sensor rotationally fixed to the axle unit and arranged radially and/or axially next to the magnet ring unit. The magnet field sensor is also arranged at least partially within the axle unit.

A magnetorheological brake device for adjusting operating states by way of rotational movements includes an axle unit and a rotary body that can be rotated relative to the axle unit. A torque for the rotation of the rotary body can be varied in a targeted manner by a magnetorheological brake. A sensor device functions to detect a rotational position of the rotary body and includes a magnet ring unit and a magnet field sensor rotationally fixed to the axle unit and arranged radially and/or axially next to the magnet ring unit. The magnet field sensor is also arranged at least partially within the axle unit.

A joystick device 10 disclosed herein provides a return function for urging a lever 20 to its initial position. The device includes a first spring 30 and a second spring 40, each of which extends along the lever 20 and is disposed between an upper spring seat 32 and a lower spring seat 34. The springs 30 and 40 are subjected to compression to provide an urging force as the lever 20 is tilted from the initial position.

An active operating module comprising an operating lever that is pivotably mounted about at least one pivot axis and for each pivot axis at least one first active actuating force module, which generates a torque acting on the operating lever, against which a user has to deflect the operating lever out of a rest position. The at least one first active actuating force module is arranged below the at least one pivot axis and is effectively connected directly to the operating lever by a transmission. The active operating module further comprises at least two first active actuating force modules, wherein these comprise in particular a conical region and are arranged at a 90° angle to one another.