A drive unit for a diaphragm pump may be provided, wherein the drive unit comprises a hollow body and a piston which is arranged so as to be movable in the first hollow body along an axis of the hollow body, wherein the piston divides the hollow body into a first chamber, which is connectable to the diaphragm pump, and a second chamber, which is coupleable to a gas reservoir. The second chamber comprises an inlet valve and an outlet valve, such that a gas flow is drawn into the chamber via the inlet valve and is forced out of the chamber via the outlet valve.