Clutch control device and method for use in continuously variable transmission

A clutch control device for a continuously variable transmission, said clutch control device, comprising:

• a clutch mechanism provided between an engine and said continuously variable transmission, said engine having an output shaft and said continuously variable transmission having an input shaft, said clutch mechanism being capable of variably engaging said output shaft of said engine with said input shaft of said continuously variable transmission from an unengaged state to a completely engaged state;
• and
• a control unit for controlling an engagement state of said clutch mechanism,
• wherein said control unit has an engaging force setting part for setting a target engaging force for said clutch mechanism according to engine torque, and
• said engaging force setting part sets a minimum engaging force capable of maintaining the completely engaged state of said clutch mechanism according to said engine torque and further sets said target engaging force to a value that is found by adding a predetermined value to said minimum engaging force.