A pedal device for a vehicle includes a first link that is pivotally supported at one end and receives a pedaling force of a driver, a return spring that biases the first link toward a standard position, a second link supported so as to be pivotable in a direction opposite to that of the first link, and a third link transmitting force and displacement between the first and second links. The return spring has a first and second ends connected to the first and second links, respectively, A moment in which a tensile force of the return spring pivots the first link toward the standard position is greater than a moment in which the tensile force of the return spring pivots the first link away from the standard position via the first end.

A method for determining jumps and/or inflection points in an activation characteristic of an activation unit includes activating the activation unit using an activator, wherein different activation areas, separated from one another by the jumps and/or inflection points, are defined by the activation characteristic. Different activation forces for activating the activator are respectively set in the activation areas. The jumps and/or inflection points are determined by activating the activator by continuously determining activation travel values of the activator, respectively assigning an activation speed characteristic variable to the determined activation travel values, continuously forming value pairs from the determined activation travel value and the assigned activation speed characteristic variable, and checking, based on the value pairs which are formed whether significant changes occur in the activation speed. The jumps and/or inflection points in the activation characteristic are assigned to activation travel values at which significant changes occur in activation speed.

A method for operating a self-driving motor vehicle includes changing from a self-driving mode into a manual-driving mode, monitoring a footwell of the motor vehicle with a gesture recognition device, and checking whether at least one specified gesture is present.

A method and a system for verifying installation of a pedal assembly in a vehicle is provided. The method includes coupling a testing device against the pedal assembly being tested, verifying a position of the testing device relative to the pedal assembly; and positioning a first portion of the testing device against a first side of a pin installed in the pedal assembly. The method also includes verifying the installation of the pin, positioning a second portion of the testing device against a second side of the pin, and verifying the proper installation of the pin.

An accelerator pedal for a vehicle is provided, which includes a member that is fixed to a bottom of the vehicle, a pedal part that is pivotally fastened to an upper surface of the member, and an arm assembly that is positioned on the member and configured to be rotated based on an input onto the pedal part. A spring is configured to come in contact with the arm assembly and a wheel assembly is disposed adjacent to a first end of the arm assembly to provide a foot effort to the arm assembly. A controller is configured to apply the foot effort to the arm assembly in a state where the wheel assembly is configured to selectively come in contact with the first end of the arm assembly.

An accelerator pedal for a vehicle is provided, which includes a member that is fixed to a bottom of the vehicle, a pedal part that is pivotally fastened to an upper surface of the member, and an arm assembly that is positioned on the member and configured to be rotated based on an input onto the pedal part. A spring is configured to come in contact with the arm assembly and a wheel assembly is disposed adjacent to a first end of the arm assembly to provide a foot effort to the arm assembly. A controller is configured to apply the foot effort to the arm assembly in a state where the wheel assembly is configured to selectively come in contact with the first end of the arm assembly.

A pedal assembly for use in a motorized vehicle comprises a horizontal member, a pedal connected to the horizontal member at a first position, and a spring having a first end and a second end. The spring is connected at the first end to the pedal, and is connected at the second end to the horizontal member at a second position. Depressing the pedal within a first range of angles causes the spring to exert a reactive force within a first range of values increasing at a rate having a first maximum slope. Depressing the pedal within a second range of angles causes the spring to exert a reactive force within a second range of values increasing at a rate having a second maximum slope.

A foldable accelerator pedal apparatus is equipped with a hysteresis module for a vehicle. In a manual driving mode where a driver drives a vehicle with human input, a pedal pad protrudes from a pedal housing to be exposed toward the driver. In an autonomous traveling mode where the vehicle travels without any human input, the pedal pad retracts into the pedal housing so as not to be exposed toward the driver. When operating the pedal pad, hysteresis may be realized through the hysteresis module.

A vehicle pedal device includes: a pedal pad; a housing provided below the pedal pad and provided with a through-hole; a first link passing through the through-hole, a first end portion of the first link being rotatably connected to the pedal pad, a second end portion of the first link being disposed in the housing; a second link, a first end portion of the second link being rotatably connected to the second end portion of the first link, a second end portion of the second link being supported in the housing; a first urging member configured to urge the second link in a rotation direction in which the pedal pad is displaced upward; and a friction portion pressed against a pressed portion provided in the housing and configured to apply a rotation resistance to the second link.

A pedal assembly, including an upper housing and a lower housing with an upper surface positioned below the upper housing. A receiving cavity is positioned in the lower housing, with at least a portion positioned below the upper surface in the pedal assembly vertical direction. A pedal arm having a pivot end and an opposite pedal pad, pivotally coupled to the upper housing at the pivot end. The pedal arm is movable between a stowed position and a use position, wherein in the stowed position, the pedal pad is positioned in the receiving cavity and below the upper surface in the pedal assembly vertical direction such that access to the pedal pad is prohibited. In the use position, the pedal pad is positioned above the receiving cavity and the upper surface in the pedal assembly vertical direction such that access to the pedal pad is permitted.