US Patent 11401133 Method of controlling a stairlift and a stairlift

A method of controlling a stairlift, the stairlift including a rail, a chair, and a drive assembly having a drive engine for driving the chair along the rail. The chair is attached to the drive assembly and the chair has an armrest, wherein the armrest is pivotably supported at the chair by a hinge. The hinge allows a rotational movement of the armrest, in particular along a vertical axis. The method includes detecting an angular position of the armrest and controlling at least one functionality of the stairlift, in particular a functionality of the drive assembly, as a function of the detected angular position.