Patent ID: 8292446

Claim:
An illumination device for a multineedle sewing machine which includes a plurality of needle bars having lower ends to which needles are adapted to be attached respectively and a needle bar case supporting the needle bars so that the needle bars are movable upward and downward, and a needle bar case moving mechanism which moves the needle bar case so that one of the needle bars is selectively switched into a needle drop position, the needle bar case having a side formed along a moving direction thereof, the illumination device comprising: an illuminating member having a light source and provided at a lateral side of the needle bar case, the illuminating member being disposed so as to open portions of the needle bars and portions of the needles, both portions being located at said side of the needle bar case respectively; a light amount adjusting unit which adjusts an amount of light emitted from the light source; and a control unit which controls the light amount adjusting unit with movement of the needle bar case by the needle bar case moving mechanism together with the illuminating member so that a predetermined illuminance is maintained at least in part of an illuminated area which is illuminated by the light source, said part of the illuminated area being located near a needle drop position.