The position of a moveable component which is coupled to an electric machine is ascertained, where the electric machine serves, in the event of manual movement of the component, as a generator for generating electric energy for a position ascertainment arrangement. The coupling of the electric machine with the component is configured such that a magnetic attraction reaction and/or repelling reaction between magnetic and/or magnetized parts of a rotor and of a stator of the electric machine results in a short-term acceleration of the rotor, which is unhindered by the coupling, and in a resulting short-term increase of the electric energy generated.