Marine vessel propulsion apparatus

Abstract

A marine vessel propulsion apparatus includes a transom bracket, a steering shaft, an outboard motor, a steering mechanism, a first cylinder, and a second cylinder. The steering mechanism is arranged to turn the steering shaft and the outboard motor around the steering axis with respect to the transom bracket. The first cylinder is arranged to turn the outboard motor around the tilt axis between a first angle and a second angle larger than the first angle, and support the outboard motor between the first angle and the second angle. The second cylinder is arranged to turn the outboard motor around the tilt axis between the first angle and a third angle larger than the second angle, and support the outboard motor between the first angle and the third angle.

1 . A marine vessel propulsion apparatus comprising:
 a transom bracket attachable to a transom of a hull;   a steering shaft joined to the transom bracket, the steering shaft being turnable around a steering axis extending in an up-down direction;   an outboard motor joined to the steering shaft, the outboard motor being turnable around a tilt axis extending along a plane that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the steering axis, the outboard motor being turnable around the steering axis together with the steering shaft;   a steering mechanism joined to the transom bracket and the steering shaft, the steering mechanism arranged to turn the steering shaft and the outboard motor around the steering axis with respect to the transom bracket;   a first cylinder joined to the steering shaft and the outboard motor, the first cylinder being arranged to turn the outboard motor around the tilt axis between a first angle and a second angle larger than the first angle, the first cylinder being arranged to support the outboard motor between the first angle and the second angle; and   a second cylinder joined to the steering shaft and the outboard motor, the second cylinder being arranged to turn the outboard motor around the tilt axis between the first angle and a third angle larger than the second angle, the second cylinder being arranged to support the outboard motor between the first angle and the third angle.   
     
     
         2 . The marine vessel propulsion apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the steering shaft includes a tubular portion extending along the steering axis, and   at least a portion of the second cylinder is housed inside the tubular portion.   
     
     
         3 . The marine vessel propulsion apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first cylinder and the second cylinder are arranged to turn around the steering axis together with the steering shaft. 
     
     
         4 . The marine vessel propulsion apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a pump arranged to supply hydraulic oil to the first cylinder and the second cylinder;   an electric motor arranged to drive the pump; and   a piping in which hydraulic oil circulates; wherein   the first cylinder, the second cylinder, the pump, the electric motor, and the piping are arranged to turn around the steering axis together with the steering shaft.   
     
     
         5 . The marine vessel propulsion apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of the pump is exposed, and at least a portion of the electric motor is exposed. 
     
     
         6 . The marine vessel propulsion apparatus according to  claim 4 , further comprising a detachable protective cover covering at least one of the pump and the electric motor. 
     
     
         7 . The marine vessel propulsion apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein at least a portion of the piping is exposed. 
     
     
         8 . The marine vessel propulsion apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the outboard motor includes a tilt bracket joined to the steering shaft, the tilt bracket being turnable around the tilt axis with respect to the steering shaft. 
     
     
         9 . The marine vessel propulsion apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the second cylinder is joined to the outboard motor via a turning shaft, the second cylinder being turnable around the turning shaft with respect to the outboard motor. 
     
     
         10 . The marine vessel propulsion apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the second cylinder is joined to the first cylinder via a turning shaft, the second cylinder being turnable around the turning shaft with respect to the first cylinder. 
     
     
         11 . The marine vessel propulsion apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the first cylinder and the second cylinder are disposed so as not to overlap each other as viewed in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the tilt axis. 
     
     
         12 . The marine vessel propulsion apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the marine vessel propulsion apparatus includes a pair of the first cylinders disposed at an interval in a direction parallel or substantially parallel to the tilt axis, and   the second cylinder is disposed such that the second cylinder is positioned between the pair of first cylinders as viewed in a direction orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the tilt axis.