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We have had a movable wedge design since 2001.
We finally tipped a robot over this year (for the first time). It was a very top heavy robot that we pushed over the lip of the hill. We kept moving forward and they fell over.
It was not our intent to tip them. I thought that the refs could have issued a DQ or not. They could have warned us. However, our behavior was deemed acceptable under the circumstances.
However, for the most part, our drivers are both trained and instructed in -not- tipping other vehicles. The fact that we have gone three years (four regionals, two nationals) and tipped a robot once, is a testimony to the concept that wedges can be used effectively without being a tipping device.
We actually use the wedge as a movable end-effector. It allows us to adjust the height of our pushing force. It also makes us difficult to push, since pushing robots ride up on the wedge. When we want to push a bot, we typically raise the wedge so that we avoid picking up or tipping.
As to your problem with DQ and the warnings, I would have to watch the match. Perhaps the refs saw something in your driving which they interpreted as deliberate action. However, there are enough wedge bots out there this year that clearly this is an acceptable device.
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