US Patent 7237453 Acceleration pedal module with controllable friction device

A power control device for drive motors in motor vehicles, in particular an accelerator pedal, includes an operating lever which may be operated by an operating force against a return force from a rest position on pivoting about a pivot axis. A damping device for damping the pivot motion of the operating lever is also included. The damping device is a friction device which includes a friction element. The friction element acts upon a component of the operating lever such that in addition to the return force a friction force is also overcome during a pivot movement of the operating lever in a direction away from the rest position.