With the continuous improvement in human awareness of environmental protection, energy savings, and emission reduction, as well as the vigorous development of precision machinery and process technology, energy-saving and efficient diaphragm pumps have become a hot research topic at home and abroad. The diaphragm pump is a membrane-isolated reciprocating transport pump that isolates the transport medium from the piston through the diaphragm and can be used to transport high-viscosity, volatile, and corrosive media, and the symmetrical structure can make it easier for the diaphragm pump to achieve stable operation, reduce vibration and noise, and extend the life of the pump. This paper summarizes the development and research status of diaphragm pumps in recent years, including diaphragm pump structure, working principle, category, cavitation research, wear research, fault diagnosis research, vibration and noise research, fluid–solid-interaction research, and optimum research on one-way valves and diaphragms. It also puts forward some reasonable and novel viewpoints, such as applying the theory of entropy production to explore the motion mechanism of diaphragm pumps, optimizing the performance of diaphragm pumps, using new technologies to study new materials for diaphragm pumps, and designing diaphragm protection devices. This review provides valuable references and suggestions for the future development and research of diaphragm pumps.

This study investigates the steady-state behavior of a four-way opposed diaphragm pump. Simulations and experimental results confirm that peak stress locations align with observed damage sites. During the return stroke, diaphragm flipping induces tension at the flow-fixed interface edges, creating stress concentrations that contribute to fatigue and failure. Particle image velocimetry (PIV) shows that, under constant flow, increased voltage enhances umbrella valve opening, accelerates movement, broadens flow distribution, and disrupts symmetry. At 90°, valve-edge velocity exhibits sharp, high-amplitude oscillations and a narrow, elongated return region. Vortices near the valve port interfere with fluid motion, causing pressure fluctuations and potential sealing issues or increased opening resistance. Higher flow rates intensify vortex strength and shift their position, generating diaphragm pressure differentials that alter flow direction and velocity, reducing stability and inducing secondary vortices. Compared to a modified diaphragm, the standard type shows more complex vortex structures, greater flow instability, and dynamic response degradation under identical pressure and varying flow. These fragmented vortices further disrupt flow, affecting pump performance. The findings provide design insights for diaphragm pump optimization.