Responsive E/A system for steering columns

An energy absorbing device for a collapsible steering column of a vehicle comprising:

• an energy absorber for imposing a resistance to collapse of the steering column when the steering column collapses in a vehicle collision,
• a load adjuster for adjusting the resistance to collapse imposed on the steering column by the energy absorber,
• a controller for producing a signal of a magnitude indicative of an amount of resistance needed to be imposed on the steering column by the energy absorber to absorb impact energy from a driver seated behind the steering column at the time of the collision, and
• an actuator for receiving the signal and for actuating the load adjuster to adjust the amount of resistance imposed by the energy absorber in accordance with the magnitude of the signal, wherein said actuator includes an anvil moveable in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the steering column to vary the axial position of the anvil relative to the energy absorber thereby adjusting the amount of resistance imposed by said energy absorber.