Patent ID: 8419488

Claim:
A steering apparatus comprising an actuator unit configured to redirect a steering arm of an outboard motor, the actuator unit comprising: first and second support arms supported on a bracket used to mount the outboard motor on a boat body; a cover member disposed between the first and second support arms, the cover member having an axis extending longitudinally thereof; a first electric motor disposed on one end of the cover member and secured to the first support arm, the first electric motor having a first rotor which is situated on the axis and which rotates around the axis; a second electric motor disposed on the other end of the cover member and secured to the second support arm, the second electric motor having a second rotor which is situated on the axis and which rotates around the axis; a feed screw disposed along the cover member inside the cover member and configured to be rotated by respective torques of the first and second electric motors; a nut member threadedly engaged with the feed screw and configured to move along the axis inside the cover member as the feed screw rotates; a drive arm attached to the nut member and configured to transmit the movement of the nut member along the axis to the steering arm, protective boots disposed inside the cover member and covering the feed screw in such a manner that the protective boots are capable of expanding and contracting along the axis; and connecting rods disposed outside the protective boots and extending along the axis, wherein the connecting rods connect the first and second electric motors, and are configured to prevent the drive arm from rotating and to guide the drive arm to move along the axis.