Adaptive collapsible steering column

An apparatus for supporting a steering wheel of a vehicle, said apparatus comprising:

• a first steering column part;
• a second steering column part;
• supporting structure supporting said first steering column part and the vehicle steering wheel for movement relative to said second steering column part;
• and
• an energy absorbing device interposed between said first steering column part and said second steering column part for resisting movement of said first steering column part relative to said second steering column part, said energy absorbing device comprising:
• a fluid having a viscosity which varies in response to an energy field acting on said fluid;
• at least one orifice through which said fluid flows upon movement of said first steering column part relative to said second steering column part;
• and
• means for varying the viscosity of said fluid to vary the rate of flow of said fluid through said at least one orifice and thereby to vary the resistance to movement of said first steering column part relative to said second steering column part;
• said means for varying the viscosity of said fluid further comprising at least one occupant condition sensor operative to sense an occupant condition and to provide a first output signal, and a controller for receiving said first output signal and for controlling the resistance to movement of said first steering column part relative to said second steering column part in response to said first output signal.