Control apparatus for vehicle drive-force transmitting apparatus

A control apparatus for a drive-force transmitting apparatus that is to be provided in a vehicle having a drive force source and drive wheels,

• wherein the drive-force transmitting apparatus includes:
• an input rotary member to which a drive force is to be transmitted from the drive force source;
• an output rotary member from which the drive force is to be outputted to the drive wheels;
• a gear mechanism configured to provide at least one gear ratio;
• a continuously-variable transmission mechanism including a primary pulley, a secondary pulley, a transfer element that is looped over the primary and secondary pulleys, and a hydraulic actuator configured to apply, to the primary pulley, a thrust, based on which the transfer element is to be clamped by the primary pulley;
• and
• first and second engagement devices,
• wherein the drive-force transmitting apparatus defines a plurality of drive-force transmitting paths that are provided in parallel with each other between the input rotary member and the output rotary member such that the drive force is to be transmitted from the input rotary member to the output rotary member through the drive-force transmitting paths,
• wherein the plurality of drive-force transmitting paths includes a first drive-force transmitting path that is to be established by engagement of the first engagement device, such that the drive force is to be transmitted by the gear mechanism through the first drive-force transmitting path when the first drive-force transmitting path is established by the engagement of the first engagement device,
• wherein the plurality of drive-force transmitting paths includes a second drive-force transmitting path that is to be established by engagement of the second engagement device, such that the drive force is to be transmitted by the continuously-variable transmission mechanism through the second drive-force transmitting path when the second drive-force transmitting path is established by the engagement of the second engagement device, and
• wherein said control apparatus comprises:
• a lower-limit-value setting portion configured, when the vehicle is decelerated with the first drive-force transmitting path being established, to set a lower limit value of the thrust that is to be applied to the primary pulley from the hydraulic actuator such that the lower limit value is set based on a gear ratio of the continuously-variable transmission mechanism and an amount of change of a rotational speed of the primary pulley.