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,

• wherein the drive-force transmitting apparatus includes an input shaft, an output shaft and first, second and third engagement devices, and defines a plurality of drive-force transmitting paths that are provided between the input shaft and the output shaft,
• wherein the plurality of drive-force transmitting paths include a first drive-force transmitting path and a second drive-force transmitting path, such that the first drive-force transmitting path is provided with the first and third engagement devices, and such that the third engagement device is located between the first engagement device and the output shaft in the first drive-force transmitting path,
• wherein the first drive-force transmitting path is established by engagement of the first engagement device operated by a hydraulic pressure which is applied to the first engagement device and which is controlled by an on-off solenoid valve, such that a drive force is to be transmitted along the first drive-force transmitting path through the first and third engagement devices when the first drive-force transmitting path is established,
• wherein the second drive-force transmitting path is established by engagement of the second engagement device operated by a hydraulic pressure which is applied to the second engagement device and which is controlled by a linear solenoid valve, such that the drive force is to be transmitted along the second drive-force transmitting path through the second engagement device when the second drive-force transmitting path is established,
• wherein the third engagement device is configured to transmit the drive force during a driving state of the vehicle and to cut off transmission of the drive force during a driven state of the vehicle, and
• wherein said control apparatus comprises a transmission-shifting control portion configured, in a case in which the first engagement device is to be placed into an engaged state thereof during a neutral state of the drive-force transmitting apparatus, to cause the first engagement device to be engaged after causing the second engagement device to be engaged, and then to cause the second engagement device to be released upon completion of the engagement of the first engagement device.