Automotive instrument display having a thickfilm electroluminescent lightpipe pointer

Apparatus for the illumination of a vehicle instrument pointer during low ambient light conditions, comprising:

• a thickfilm electroluminescent lamp for emitting electroluminescent light;
• an electroluminescent lightpipe pointer for reflecting the emitted electroluminescent light toward an instrument observer, the pointer having a hub area aligned with said lamp and a needle area adapted for selective alignment with instrument indicia;
• and
• reflective means formed on an internal surface of the pointer hub area pointer opposite said lamp for collecting the electroluminescent light and directing it through the needle area of the pointer for reflection toward said observer.

Apparatus for the illumination of a vehicle instrument pointer during low ambient light conditions, comprising:

• thickfilm electroluminescent lamp means including an electroluminescent lamp having a reflective electrode formed on one surface thereof and a transparent electrode formed on the other surface thereof such that electroluminescent light emitted from said lamp is directed in substantial entirety through said transparent electrode;
• an electroluminescent lightpipe pointer having a hub area aligned with the transparent electrode of said lamp and a needle area adapted for selective alignment with instrument indicia;
• and
• reflective means formed on an internal surface of the pointer hub area pointer opposite said lamp for collecting the electroluminescent light emitted from said lamp and directing it through the needle area of the pointer for reflection toward an instrument observer.