Abstract: The invention relates to an improvement in variable capacity diaphragm pumps. According to the invention, the piston is driven by a cam fast with the wheel of a speed reducing gear pair, the eccentric/wheel assembly rotating idly on a fixzed shaft of which the axis is perpendicular to the axis of the piston, the piston terminating in a U-shaped shank of which the wings are perpendicular to the axis of the piston and spaced apart by a length slightly greater than the diameter of the eccentric, and of which the base is perpendicular to said fixed shaft and is provided with a longitudinal groove parallel to the axis of the piston which is traversed by the fixed shaft, the eccentric being housed between the wings of the shank. The invention is more particularly applicable to the manufacture of diaphagm pumps.