Patent ID: 6843195
Filing Date: 2005-01-18
Classification: B63B,B63H

Abstract:
1. A steering system for an outboard motor mounted on a stern of a boat and having an internal combustion engine at its upper portion and a propeller with a rudder at its lower portion powered by the engine to propel and steer the boat, comprising: a steering device installed on the boat to be manipulated by an operator; a swivel shaft installed in the outboard motor and connected to the propeller to turn the propeller relative to the boat; an actuator installed in the outboard motor and connected to the swivel shaft to rotate the swivel shaft relative to the boat; a steering angle sensor generating a signal indicative of a steering angle inputted through the steering device by the operator; a steered angle sensor generating a signal indicative of a steered angle of the outboard motor; a speed sensor generating a signal indicative of a moving speed of the boat; and a controller connected to the actuator, the steering angle sensor, the steered angle sensor and the speed sensor, and controlling the actuator in such a manner that the steered angle of the outboard motor relative to the steering angle becomes a predetermined ratio determined based on the moving speed of the boat.